列奥·施特劳斯与自由主义国家中立性问题

Leo Strauss and the issue of liberal state neutrality

施特劳斯批评自由主义国家由于其相对主义和"中立"承诺无法保护少数群体的权利,在关键时刻甚至无法保卫自己。但是,恰当理解的自由主义主张正义一元论,自由主义国家的中立是指在不同的善之间保持中立,而不是在善与恶之间保持中立,对正义的持守使自由主义国家在受到威胁时能够保卫自己。从国家构建的逻辑和历史实践看,自由主义国家既保护个人自由,又通过国家强制和公民教育保护国家自身。

Strauss criticizes that a liberal state could not protect the rights of minorities, and even could not defend itself at a critical moment, due to its relativism and “neutral” promise. However, a proper understanding of liberalism advocates a monism of justice. The state neutrality means remaining neutral between different kinds of good, not remaining neutral between good and evil. The holding of a monism of justice makes a liberal state able to defend itself when threatened. In practice, a liberal state can protect both the individual freedom and itself through national compulsory measures and civil education.