Open society

The open society is a stagnant society in the tradition of liberalism Karl Popper's model, which aims to liberate " the critical skills of the people." The power of the state is intended to be shared as much as possible to prevent the abuse of power. Popper's notion of the open society is closely linked to the state form of democracy, but not as a rule of the majority, rather than the ability to change the government without violence. The open society is on the one hand against the laissez -faire society, on the other hand, the totalitarian, focused on the holistic - collectivist thinking " closed society " that Popper also ironically called "heaven on earth " because it is promoted as such.

Overview

The term "Open Society " found in the book The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945 ) use. In this book, Karl Popper opposes totalitarian forms of government such as fascism, Nazism and communism. Whose origin he traces back to the philosophies of Plato, Hegel and Karl Marx, as well as their followers. In particular, the doctrine of a law of history ( historicism ) is at the heart of Popper's criticism. He insists that every historical subject at all times with his decision may influence the further course of events, while historicist representations suggest that there is a desirable ideal or an ideal form to which the historical development zustrebe inevitable.

In open societies an intellectual exchange of views, as opposed to ideologically defined, closed societies that pursue a binding for all plan of salvation, allows enabling cultural changes. Thus, expression, association and assembly, as well as a strict religious neutrality of fundamental importance for Open societies.

Institutions are indeed essential, but must be set to constant criticism in open societies and remain changeable. The nation-state is in an open society only a momentary evil that can be overcome in the long term. He should ensure a sufficient primary care, especially but allow an egalitarian social structure in the absence of "elites ". Popper proposes as a maxim rather than the maximization of happiness in front of the modest reduction of suffering.

The best form of government according to Popper democracy, Popper redefined as a form of government in which it is possible to replace the rulers without bloodshed. This, and not the assertion that the majority was right, was the greatest virtue of democracy.

Criticism

Criticism of the concept practiced among other Ralf Dahrendorf, according to the Popperian liberalism underestimate the necessity and importance of social ties ( ligatures ) and traditions. William W. Bartley threw Popper vice versa fideism before and criticized, he emphasize the necessity of traditions too. The German journalist and historian Joachim Fest took the view that the open society is not in a position according to their basic liberal view, in his opinion, necessary to produce a minimal consensus regarding fundamental values ​​or to maintain (see Böckenförde - dictum ). Instead, they would offer like no other form of society and their opponents space to work on the destruction of the open society. Compared with utopian ideologies open society is also due to its alleged "lack of content " arguments at a disadvantage.

Others

The American- Hungarian financier George Soros, who is a great admirer of Popper, has founded in 1993 a foundation called the Open Society Institute to promote the idea of the open society after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.