托克维尔论政治科学与自由

Tocqueville on Political Science and Freedom

托克维尔对于作为一门学科的政治学的对象、范围、功能具有明确的界定;他的政治科学的核心命题是民情说,它成为理解与改良政治生活的一种关键变量;他弥合了政治科学中的几对常常造成冲突的概念,它们是,科学与应用,理论与实践,政治研究与政治教育,事实与价值,政治与道德,政治科学与政治艺术,文人与政客;托克维尔的政治科学的鲜明价值取向是捍卫人类的自由,其政治科学体现了古典传统与现代意识的结合。

Tocqueville has a clear definition on the object,scope and function of political science as an independent subject.The core proposition of his political science is the theory of mores.The mores becomes a key variable for understanding and improving the political life.He removes the conflicts of a few pairs of often opposing concepts in political science,such as science and usage,theory and practice,political study and political education,fact and value,politics and ethics,political science and political art,and philosophe and politician.There is a distinct value orientation in his political science,and that is the defense for human liberty.His political science is embodying the combination of classic tradition and modern awareness.