Abstract

This essay shows how Kantian philosophy provides relevant grounds for reflections regarding the current debate on democracy. Firstly, I argue that representative democracy has a particular moral value that stands out the other forms of government. Secondly, I make some considerations about the elements that must be institutionally embodied in order to ensure a proper functioning democracy, such as the separation of powers, the guarantee of a public sphere which is appropriate to the freedom of public use of reason, the moral requirement of veracity in the performance of public agents; the participationism, the reformism and, finally, the cosmopolitanism.