Jane Addams, in 1902, was ahead of her time when she defined democracy as a social ethic. Today, in a painful period of democratic recession, her thesis is strikingly relevant.
Democracy is generally defined as a system of governance that allows for the peaceful transition of power, characterized by the rule of law, the separation of powers, an electoral system, and the recognition of political and social rights for citizens.
European governments are currently facing a crisis in achieving objectives related to social progress and sustainable development. This crisis has contributed to the rapid rise of totalitarian movements across different elections, which reflects a growing disaffection and lack of appreciation for democracy among a significant portion of the population.
It is a grave mistake to consider democracy solely as a system of governance and to overlook the fact that democracy must be rooted in an ethic: in values and ways of life shaped by those values. We often fail to realize that the prevalence of narcissistic and nihilistic attitudes within civic culture undermines the fair distribution of wealth, public investment, and fosters the rejection of difference. In other words, political democracy coexists with dominant ideologies that weaken it, threaten it, and legitimize authoritarianism.
It is essential to dedicate substantial social and educational efforts to promote behaviors and attitudes grounded not in instrumental values, but in values that are ends in themselves: pluralism, dialogue, respect for others, and fraternity as the foundation of freedom and equality. Without a predominant democratic culture, democracy as a political system will always be at risk.
PhD in Sociology and PhD in History. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Philosophy at Ramon Llull University.
Director of Estrategies de Qualitat Urbana, S.L. President of the Foundation Ciudadanía y Buen Gobierno, and a founding member and coordinator of AERYC.