Miedo a la democracia. La reducción elitista de la pluralidad
Abstract
Una de las tensiones inherentes al debate contemporáneo sobre la democracia es aquella que existe entre la apertura a la participación de una diversidad de sujetos y posiciones, y la delimitación de quiénes están habilitados para participar. En este ensayo analizamos los modos en que funciona dicha delimitación. La definición de quienes pueden participar suele consistir en la estipulación de una serie de características y atributos que deben tener los sujetos para ser considerados parte de la democracia. La carencia de tales características suele operar como el fundamento de formas de exclusión. La adquisición de tales atributos suele operar como mecanismo de homogeneización. En ambos casos estamos ante procesos de reducción de pluralidad. Estas formas de reducción implican un miedo a asumir la pluralidad en un sentido radical. Dicho miedo suele provenir de posiciones elitistas que, bajo discursos progresistas, generan formas de exclusión de todos aquellos que no se enmarcan en las normas consideradas como aceptables.
One of the tensions inherent in the contemporary debate on democracy is that between openness to the participation of a diversity of subjects and positions, and the delimitation of those who are qualified to participate. This essay analyzes the ways in which this delimitation works. The definition of who can participate usually consists of stipulating a series of characteristics and attributes that subjects must have to be considered part of democracy. The lack of such characteristics usually operates as the basis of forms of exclusion. The acquisition of such attributes typically operates as a mechanism for homogenization.In both cases we are faced with processes of reduction of plurality.These forms of reduction imply a fear of assuming plurality in a radical sense.This fear usually comes from elitist positions under progressive discourses generate forms of exclusion of those who do not fall under the rules considered acceptable.
One of the tensions inherent in the contemporary debate on democracy is that between openness to the participation of a diversity of subjects and positions, and the delimitation of those who are qualified to participate. This essay analyzes the ways in which this delimitation works. The definition of who can participate usually consists of stipulating a series of characteristics and attributes that subjects must have to be considered part of democracy. The lack of such characteristics usually operates as the basis of forms of exclusion. The acquisition of such attributes typically operates as a mechanism for homogenization.In both cases we are faced with processes of reduction of plurality.These forms of reduction imply a fear of assuming plurality in a radical sense.This fear usually comes from elitist positions under progressive discourses generate forms of exclusion of those who do not fall under the rules considered acceptable.
Description
No. 41