This essay analyzes the conjunction freedom/authority defended by classical republicanism. As a modern thinker, Machiavelli retrieves this classical synthesis and defines the authority of law as the condition of possibility for freedom. But, as Eric Neson shows, Machiavelli's republicanism is more Athenian than Roman. Michael Sandel's democratic republicanism has a similar orientation. Besed on the social ontology developed by Arendt and Taylor, Sandel postulates the intrinsic value of the notions of participation and popular sovereignty. In this way he can refute Rorty's objections and his idiosyncratic interpretation of Dewey. According to Sandel, Dewey criticizes liberalism's rejection of authority and is able organically to articulate democratic authority and freedom.
Keywords:
republicanism, liberalism, freedom, democracy, social ontology
Cristi, R. (2011). Authority,freedom and republicanism. Revista De Filosofía, 67, Pág. 9–28. Retrieved from https://revistadematematicas.uchile.cl/index.php/RDF/article/view/18123
