Abstract

MENDONCA, Ricardo Fabrino. Democracy and inequality: contributions of the theory of recognition. Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Polít. [online]. 2012, n.9, pp. 119-146. ISSN 0103-3352.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-33522012000300005.

This article seeks to discuss the conceptual contributions that emerge from the dialogue between the theory of recognition and the idea of democracy, in order to explore the problem of inequalities. The article starts with a presentation of Axel Honneth's theory of recognition. Next, it develops some of the core ideas of John Dewey, showing their implications on Honneth's theory. From this fruitful dialogue, a democratic approach to justice comes out, and the paper argues that it has five main strengths: it adopts a non-institutional concept of politics; (2) it starts with the observation of oppression; (3) it overcomes the duality between public and private; (4) it develops a non-homogenizing notion of equality; and (5) it breaks the crystallized dichotomy individual/community that pervades the often presumed opposition between liberalism and communitarism.

Keywords : recognition; democracy; inequalities; Honneth; Dewey.