体现公民权利的民主程序:现代性价值共识达成的基本途径

Democratic Process Embodying the Citizens′ Rights: Basic Approach to the Realization of the Shared Understanding of Value in Modernity

在现代性的语境中,面对利益、价值与认识的多元分化,只有通过充分体现公民权利的民主程序,公民之间才能有效地达成合理的价值共识。就民主交往的前提而言,首先必须确认公民具有平等的基本权利。如果没有这样一个对于基本权利的前提性共识,民主的交往程序就根本不可能展开。在这种前提性共识的基础上,一种合理的民主交往程序必须能够正视差异、包容他者,实现公民的平等参与。而要想实现公民的平等参与,就必须要考虑到每一公民与群体的不同情况、独特需求与资源基础,平等承认导致了对公民与群体独特性与差异性的关注。这反映在对公民身份的认识上,就是从"平等承认的政治"向"差异政治"的发展。理由的公共性、接受与认同的主体间性,表明最终形成的价值共识超越了个体的单纯主观性,因而具有了一种共享的客观性。

In the context of modernity with the diverse interpretations of interests,value and epistemology,the realization of the citizens′ shared understanding of value relies only on the democratic process that fully embodies the citizens′ rights.The premise of democracy first relies on the equal basic rights shared by all citizens.With this,a rational democratic process should accept differences and the Other,and realize the fair participation of citizens which should take into account the different situations and resources as well as special needs of all groups and individuals.The understanding of the citizens′ identity goes from the politics of equal recognition to the politics of difference.The commonality of reasons and the acceptance and recognition of intersubjectivity reveal that the final shared understanding of value transcends the the pur subjectivity of individuals and possesses a kind of shared objectivity.