Karl R. Popper: The Open Society and Its Enemies

Abstract

This article summarizes Popper’s political philosophy, pointing out the misinterpretations that have been made of that philosophy. After reviewing that fallibilism is the epistemological doctrine behind Popper’s political thought, some notions are explained such as open society, democracy as an institutional system, and piecemeal social engineering as a democratic method for social change. Main enemies of the open society are discussed: historicism, collectivism, ethical positivism and relativism. It is concluded that democracy does not exclude social hierarchy, if based in character and effort.