Democracy, Sovereignty and Autonomy in the Legal Philosophy of the Spanish Krausism

Abstract

In this article we reflect on the criticism of the thoughtless operation of a formal democracy, which would require, in the opinion of Krausist authors such as Fco. Giner, basic constitutional guarantees, finding its link with such current theses as those of J. Dewey: Full democracy may only be achieved through education and civil society. In contrast to a more formalist conception of democracy, which perceives it as a mere legal status, the democratic vision of Krausism implies the need for social participation, for the citizen"™s initiative. Such citizen"™s initiative, beyond being recognised as such, must delve into the role of the citizen as a politically active agent. Thus, the citizen will be seen as a subject whom, along with rights and obligations, will be provided with effective channels of sociocultural participation and of support and promotion of his own culture.