Liberal theorists must engage its critics to build a defensible democracy

Evidence

I agree with Rawls on the practical role that political philosophy can play in shaping the public culture and contributing to the creation of democratic political identities. But I consider that political theorists, in order to put forward a conception of a liberal-democratic society able to win the active suppon of its citizens, mwt be willing to engage with the arguments of those who have challenged the fundamental tenets of liberalism. This means confronting some disturbing questions, wually avoided by Jibetals and democrats alike. — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 158

Categorization

• XREF: Methodological posture the author will use to engage Schmitt — mirrors the reader’s test of whether agonistic theory coheres by confronting its harshest critics. — connects to: Kantian theorists wrongly seek an apolitical viewpoint to guarantee liberal democracy’s superiority — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 304; Liberal democracy contains a paradox Schmitt’s critique exposes — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 162; Political theorists must confront liberalism’s challengers to win citizens’ active support. (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Political theorists must confront liberalism’s challengers to win citizens’ active support. #expands (0.95)
• Democracy must be deliberately cultivated rather than assumed natural. #expands (0.75) — Wendy Brown, Undoing the Demos, 16