Abstract

WENCES SIMON, Isabel. ¿Cívica o comercial? Paradojas de la idea de sociedad civil en Ferguson. Rev. mex. cienc. polít. soc [online]. 2006, vol.48, n.196, pp.15-25. ISSN 0185-1918.

This paper analyzes some characteristics of the concept of civil society in the thought of Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, Adam Ferguson. In the framework of the classical dilemma of the binomial civic virtue/commercial society, Ferguson defends the position that "civil" society should not be confined to the economic sphere, but should also include the political and ethical dimensions of citizens. If these two dimensions are excluded, the sociopolitical consequences, among them political corruption and despotism, may be devastating for man and society. The author of this article considers that this proposal offers theoretical tools for the contemporary debate among social actors who advocate the principles of the Republican tradition-political freedom and civic virtue-and those who defend certain fundamental core of the liberal tradition-the market as fundamental feature of civil society.

Keywords : Sociedad civil; Adam Ferguson; Ilustración escocesa; virtud cívica; liberalismo clásico.

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