Wolfgang Merkel’s concept of rooted democracy in the context of contemporary populism and the crisis of democracy Cover Image

Koncepcja „demokracji zakorzenionej” Wolfganga Merkela w kontekście współczesnego populizmu i kryzysu demokracji
Wolfgang Merkel’s concept of rooted democracy in the context of contemporary populism and the crisis of democracy

Author(s): Katarzyna Guczalska
Subject(s): Philosophical Traditions, Special Branches of Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Keywords: liberal democracy; civil society; capitalism

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the concept of “rooted democracy” by Wolf‐ gang Merkel, which was presented in the context of the democratic crisis. The German poli‐ tical scientist indicates what democracy is — specifying the proper functioning of the regula‐ tions of the democratic system (regimes). Speaking of the weakness or strength of democracy, we must have a well‐described set of system principles that determine the degree of strength of democracy or its erosion. The above set of principles of the democratic system is thoroughly discussed in the article. In particular, the functional model of civil society is analysed. The text also explores how the crisis of democracy is understood and Merkel’s view of the impact of global capitalism on democratic institutions, which contributes to the transformation of democracy into an oligarchy. The topics discussed in the article also concern alternative, non‐ ‐liberal forms of democracy and populism. The question is whether Merkel’s concept is useful in explaining populism and its political consequences.

  • Issue Year: X/2020
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 57-82
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: Polish
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