The Republican Tradition and Its Significance for the Contemporary Civic Education

Abstract

The idea of republicanism derived from antiquity, inter alia, from Aristotle and Cicero, was developed in the modern political philosophy of such great thinkers as Machiavelli and Rousseau, and it proceeds contemporary thanks to, inter alia, Arendt, Skinner and Pettit, but without chances to become a dominant stream; republicanism is sometimes also treated only as a specific adjustment of liberalism. The most significant elements of the Republican tradition are: an aspiration to create a powerful state, emphasis on the importance of common good and the responsibility of citizens for shaping their republic. The implementation of the idea of republicanism provides an opportunity for functioning not merely the procedural democracy but also the substantive one, and in such a way it appreciates civil society. Therefore, the great importance is ascribed to civic education which is mostly focused on a formation of so-called “Republican virtues” such as respect for the law, social commitment, debate skills, courage to proclaim own opinions, honour, diligence and the like. The civic education might best be implemented in an informal way, through participation in the various institutions typical for civil society.