Mouffe's critique of agonistic democracy and political consensus

¶ … ETHICS FOR DEMOCRACY?

Ethics, Justice and Democracy

Which Ethics for Democracy?

Democratic forms of individuality can be attained only if institutions are multiplied their practices and discourses created to consolidate democracy. Therefore, these individuals will do so by recognizing their identity that looks at the existence attributed to liberal forms of life democracies. Such a democracy is viewed to be a deliberate one because individuals are involved in stating what is right and what is wrong. Moreover, this democracy establishes a strong link between rationalism and moralism. In saying this, we imply that the political questions raised will be of a moral nature and become susceptible to receiving a rational treatment. In such a democratic society, the consensus is created rationally reached using appropriate and deliberative procedures. Hence, decisions produced are a representation of a standpoint that is impartial (Mouffe, 2000, p. 86). It is only by having a democratic society that dimensions of antagonism can be erased.

Question 4

The democracy of any given should be able to raise such questions because it shows that they are mature enough to understand what is good or bad for their populations. Therefore, identifying with violence in the current times is against the human code because we are more enlightened when it comes to violence. From this understanding, they are capable of resolving the issue of antagonism. No person can be considered a full social justice activist if they come from an irrational standpoint because they only see one side of the debate. Activists should be able to weigh both sides but look at supporting the side that is promoting social justice in any given democracy. It is only through having a rational consensus that public reason can be exercised freely. Moreover, communication should not be distorted because they will be denying antagonism ineradicability. This will result in foreclosure of a society's possibility to grasp the many different forms of their democracy. Therefore, the moment we decide to relinquish rationalism, politics can be approached in a way that gives permission to the acknowledgment of ethical dimensions. Through this, we can be able to understand the possibility of defending and deepening our democratic institutions (Mouffe, 2000, p. 89).

Reference

Mouffe, C. (2000). Which Ethics for Democracy? In Marjorie Garber, Beatrice Hanssen, and Rebecca L. Walkowitz (eds.), The Turn to Ethics. New York, NY: Routledge