Jacques Maritain and the Political Theology of Contemporary Democracy

Abstract

This article analyzes the democratic thought of the philosopher Jacques Maritain. A methodical reading of the integrity of his political work published since the 20s demonstrates a great continuity in the defense of a univocal concept of democratic governance, called social democracy, new Christianity, integral democracy or organic democracy in order to accommodate his thought to the political circumstances. Starting from the principle of superiority of spiritual power, Maritain has redefined the notion of democracy in an anti-rousseaunian sense. Maritain postulates a community and pluralist regime under a presidential government and non partitocratic political system. Maritainian democracy and the secular faith that must animate it, based on human rights, is conceived as an antidote against liberal neutralism and against the totalitarian temptation of a democracy understood as a political religion.

Este artículo analiza el pensamiento democrático del filósofo Jacques Maritain. Una lectura metódica de la integridad de su obra política publicada desde los años 20 demuestra una gran continuidad en la defensa de un concepto unívoco de la gobernación democrática, denominada democracia social, nueva cristiandad, democracia integral o democracia orgánica para acomodarse a las circunstancias políticas. Partiendo del principio de superioridad del poder espiritual, Maritain ha depurado la noción de democracia de adherencias rousseaunianas, postulando un régimen comunitario y pluralista bajo un gobierno presidencialista y no partidocrático. La democracia maritainiana y la fe secular que debe animarla, basada en los derechos humanos, está concebida como un antídoto contra el neutralismo liberal y contra la tentación totalitaria de una democracia entendida como una religión política.