Abstract

The paper is devoted to the problem of the condition of contemporary democracy. The authoress is arguing that contemporary democracy is being daunted by the triumphant instrumental rationality, supremacy of the free market, weakening of the states and of the public sphere; it is also being endangered by the evaporation social security, by the atrophying individual agency and the sense of reality, as well as by the globalization. Postmodernity is intertwined with pluralism, ambiguity and multidirectedness of the cultural processes. Ambiguity and diversity are now becoming an important basis for the liberal democracy, threatened by demise. Postmodernity generates a new type of mentality within which the awareness of compartmentalization and contingency of human life goes hand in hand with moral sensitivity, toleration and readiness to engage in a dialogue. A postmodern person is seen as endowed with a capability to live without absolute certainty, harmonious unity and perfect accord. The task of contemporary political philosophy is to work out a new political concept of a person and of human reason, a new delineation of the basic distinctions, e.g. between totalitarianism and democracy, violence and persuasion; it has also to work out a conception of justice adequate for the postmodern society. The fate of the liberal democracy will depend upon the human ability to find a way between the extremes and contradictions of contemporary postmodern world. Key words DEMOCRACY, INSTRUMENTAL RATIONALITY, SOCIAL SECURITY.