Legal and political significance of republicanism

Abstract

This paper develops several insights put forward in the book Republican Studies. It goes into the difference between republicanism as a concept pertaining to legal theory, i.e. a system free from dynastic power, and the political-philosophy trend which currently goes by the same name, also known as `civicism', hinging upon the notion of freedom as non-domination. As against such a view, the value of a classical notion of liberty is maintained. Further grounds to choose a republic rather than a monarchy are analyzed. A Parlamentarian Republic is shown to offer a reasonable balance of powers. International implications of this conception are also sketched out, opening the prospect of a universal republic. Reparations for past grievances are advanced as a means to approach a system of international relations oriented towards a just integration of Planet Earth.