The Cultural Programme of Modernity and Democracy: Some Tensions and Problems
Discusses the nature, foundations, & implications of the contradictions inherent in the political & cultural program of modernity. It is argued that modern constitutional-democratic regimes have been most significantly influenced by political upheaval (the American & French Revolutions, the English great rebellion, etc) & philosophical movements such as the Enlightenment. Under these conditions, modern democratic regimes have been forced to negotiate the delicate boundaries between politics, culture, religion, & philosophy, & it is argued that these competing concepts of morality & institutionalization have contributed to the formation of structural pluralism in the West, characterized by a multiplicity of overlapping political & social structures. Recent developments, eg, the collapse of communism in Europe & the globalization of industry, have placed additional burdens on the concept & institutions of modernity. The modern era of transition demands increasingly fluid political & social institutions, & it is concluded that the greatest challenge facing modern constitutional-democratic regimes is the development of a common cultural framework in which competing views of the common good can be expressed & negotiated without destroying the structures & alliances necessary for democracy & order. T. Sevier