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RepublicanismREAD 2010. 8. 4. 11:29
고전주의적인 시각에서 기술된 아래 공화국 시민의 현실적 역할과 의무는 너무나 당연하게 들리는 만큼 역설적으로 현실과 동떨어졌다고 여길 수도 있을 듯. 하지만 마지막 문단을 보면 저자는 여전히 희망을 버리고 있지 않은 듯.
There is a civic virtue for men and women who wish to live in dignity, and since they know it is impossible to live in dignity when the community is corrupt, they do everything they can, whenever they can, to serve the common liberty: […]
For some, the chief motivation for commitment comes from a moral sense, more precisely, from indignation at abuse, discrimination, corruption, arrogance, or vulgarity; for others, from an aesthetic desire for decency and decorum; still others are driven by specific concerns—about safe streets, pleasant parks, well-kept squares, respected monuments, good schools and hospitals; or people become engaged because they want to gain repute and they aspire to attain public honor, sit at the chairman’s table, give speeches, stand in the front row at ceremonies. In many cases these motives work together, reinforcing each other.
This type of civic virtue is neither impossible nor dangerous, and it is as republican as any other. […]
Is it too late? I think the best answer to this question was offered by Tocqueville:
“No laws can bring back to life to fading beliefs, but laws can mane men care for the fate of their countries. It depends on the laws to awaken and direct that vague instinct of patriotism which never leaves the human hearts, and by linking it to everyday thoughts, passions, and habits, to make it a conscious and durable sentiment. And one should never say that it is too late to attempt that; nations do not grow old as men do. Each fresh generation is new material for the lawgiver to mold.”
Maurizio Viroli, Rupublicanism 77-78