Administrative Moderation, the Art of Association, and Functional Pluralism
Journal
Freedom of Association, Volume I: In Theory
ISSN
2662-6470
Publisher
Springer Nature Switzerland
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Martínez Hernández, Abraham
Type
text::book::book part
Abstract
Democracies offer a true prospect for freedom to flourish, as long as people hold a correct understanding of what freedom entails. For Alexis de Tocqueville, the relationship between democracy and liberalism is hopefully inseparable, and potentially beneficial. But liberalism would have to be properly understood, in order for democracy to deliver on its genuine salutary potential. Not only would a liberal perspective promote the separation of powers, but it would also need to favor an idea of freedom that is more than a mere affirmation of individual autonomy. Unless a civic component is attached to the notion of freedom, any other conception would eventually result in self-enclosed citizens prone to succumb to new forms of tyranny in the shape, mainly, of administrative centralization. The true meaning and value of freedom, therefore, would have to be learned. Facilitating the conditions for freedom of association to develop is essential to doing so. Taking Tocqueville’s proposal as a starting point, I explore the role that administrative moderation plays in stimulating civic involvement at the most local levels. The latter, along with a committed safeguard of freedom of association, could begin to animate a revival of real sovereignty of the people. And with it, the development of functional pluralistic contemporary societies could be a reality. ©The author ©Springer.
License
Acceso Restringido
How to cite
Hernández, A.M. (2025). Administrative Moderation, the Art of Association, and Functional Pluralism. In: Sheahan, L.C., McIntyre, K.B. (eds) Freedom of Association, Volume I. Palgrave Studies in Classical Liberalism. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-92437-8_6