Ethics and Politics: Foundations of a Just Society
Ethics and Politics
Freedom and responsibility are prerequisites for a moral life. The person is an end in itself, not a means. Dignity and freedom are moral foundations of autonomy.
Political Life
“Man is a political animal” (zoon politikon) – Aristotle. Humans are social beings living in communities organized by laws, enabling peaceful coexistence.
Politics involves citizen participation in public life, making decisions binding on all, despite differing interests. Persuasion, negotiation, and decision are key elements, along with authority and power.
The policy objective is peaceful coexistence and individual freedom in democratic societies. Montesquieu called public virtues “core beliefs”, fundamental values like freedom, justice, equality, and solidarity, defended through political action.
Discontent towards politics necessitates civic ethics to strengthen civil society, enabling coexistence among diverse cultures and opinions, respecting differences.
Civil Society
Civil society comprises citizens outside state government, organized through associations to defend their interests (religious, cultural, etc.). A vibrant civil society is essential for a participatory democracy.
Machiavelli first used “State” for the stable organization within which political activity occurs. Its distinctive features include a defined territory, sovereignty, a unitary political system, coercive power, bureaucracy, and wealth.
Civic Ethic: A Secular Minimum
Civic and public ethics form a democratic ethos, articulating human autonomy and universal moral standards, essential for a pluralistic society.
Human rights are the foundation of civic ethics, representing minimum values for coexistence. Social justice is the goal, with core values of respect, responsible freedom, equality, solidarity, and dialogue.
Respect and recognition are due to all individuals and groups.
Freedoms and basic rights for all (conscience, thought, religion, movement, association) are not unlimited. Equality is not rigid egalitarianism but enabling basic freedoms, including equality before the law, equality of opportunity, and equal access to social benefits.
Solidarity is open to all, exercised publicly or through NGOs, based on mutual aid and the understanding that anyone can face calamities.
Dialogue resolves conflicts peacefully, involving all affected parties.
Ethics and Politics: Historical Conceptions
Separation of Ethics and Politics
Niccolo Machiavelli advocated a political science separate from ethics and religion, focusing on historical experience. Virtue for Machiavelli meant skills like courage and effectiveness, while Fortune is capricious, requiring adaptability.
Private and Public Ethics
John Stuart Mill argued the state should not control private lives. Morality and religion are private, not influencing public affairs.
Ethics of Conviction and Responsibility
Max Weber distinguished between the ethics of conviction (principles) and the ethics of responsibility (results). Both should be combined, though challenging.