1999
Cairn
Arno Münster, « Habermas et la démocratie ou : faut-il réinventer la démocratie par le principe « discussion » et une politique « délibérative » ? », Actuel Marx, ID : 10670/1.sfkw08
Habermas's thesis regarding democracy is that "the democratic principle can only manifest itself as the kernel of a system of law". Within such a perspective, the genesis of law is in fact to he regarded as a circular process leading to the concomitant institution of law, by way of the code of law, and of the (communicational) democratic principle. There can be little doubt as to what Habermas is aiming at through such a philosophical and sociological justification of the democratic principle, within the system of a codified law: the primary aim is a legitimation of the fundamental rights of citizens in the light of the democratic principle and the "discussion" principle and, on the theoretical basis thus established, a redefinition of the conformity of the State to the rule of law.