A Democratic Life Based on the Philosophical View of Jean-Luc Nancy - Paper Example

Introduction

Jean-Luc Nancy argues that the meaning of democracy is relative and fragile. None the less, he acknowledges that the only political system that an adult or a free society can accept. He also argues that totalitarian regimes take advantage of the confusion that surrounds the meaning of democracy. Therefore, for someone who wants to live a democratic life, the starting point is to question the actual meaning of democracy. It is necessary to recognize that the concept is marred in conceptual complexities because anyone who ignores this fact cannot embrace democracy in its entirety.

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This philosophical view holds that democracy should be understood in two fundamental perspectives. First, the philosophical view states that the people that choose a democratic government is distinct from their elected rulers (Morin 1). This definition limits democracy to something of just but aesthetic value. It means the once the people vote; they cannot hold their elected leaders accountable for whatever they do.

However, sometimes the 'people' can correctly be used in reference to the whole democracy -voters and the rulers. In this case, the people are said to be politically sovereign because of their self-determinism. Living a democratic life would mean taking part in national elections either contesting or voting, as well as accepting the outcome of the election as the will of the majority. Also, living a democratic life in light of this perspective involves demanding and protecting personal and public liberty, human rights, human dignity, and equality. In return, one must avoid behaviors that compromise other people's ability to enjoy the same privileges. At the same time, one must abide in situations when the law limits some of the rights such as privacy, communication, and freedom for security reasons.

Secondly, the word refers to the process by which the people exercise their political rights and powers. According to Nancy, this understanding gives the sense that democracy is a resistance against a government or regime (Morin 1). Going by this definition, living a democratic life means exercising the right to individualism. It can be expressed through active engagement in the political sphere to protest against things that one does not agree with. One can do this by organizing industrial boycotts, economic sabotage, peaceful demonstration, the opposition of government policy in the legislature, etc. It can also involve rallying the masses to support an individual idea through a mass revolution or a referendum. However, if this kind of democratic life is not controlled, it may easily turn into anarchy. Anarchy is itself a danger to democracy because it leads to political instability, which the incumbent regimes may take advantage of to introduce the authoritarian rule. Therefore, even in this democracy, all actions taken against a government must be done in accordance with the law.

Moreover, Nancy further argues that dealing with the impact of modernity, social and cultural issues is a matter of growing importance in the exercise of democracy. The modern society requires that all democratic societies recognize and protect all human identities and preferences. Such factors are mostly expressed in sexual orientation, and religion. Therefore, living a democratic life calls for one to be ready to accept individuals of emerging minority identities such as the intersex, transgender, bisexual, gays, and lesbians. Similarly, one must refrain from interfering with the religious practices of any creed, regardless of what they think about it.

Works Cited

Morin, Marie-Eve. "Jean-Luc Nancy, The Truth of Democracy | CSCP / SCPC." CSCP / SCPC | The Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy, 25 Jan. 2011, www.c-scp.org/2011/01/25/jean-luc-nancy-the-truth-of-democracy-2.