Reflexive Freedom and The Politics of Participation

The article presents a theoretical-methodological analysis of the concept of reflexive freedom in relation to the political sphere of its application, with the aim of revealing and clarifying the main political consequences and normative claims that its recognition implies for political theory. The analysis is based on the assumption that particular conceptions of individual freedom as moral autonomy of the individual lead to particular models of politics. In the article, the main thesis is formulated and argued that the philosophical conception of reflexive freedom, in its applicability, programmatically leads to a model of participatory politics. As part of the analysis, the concept of reflexive freedom is compared with the competing concept of negative freedom and its corresponding model of politics, the politics of modus vivendi. The comparison makes it possible to highlight several specificities and particularities of reflexive freedom and politics of participation and, thus, reveal a diametrically different perspective on the phenomenon of individual freedom and the political conditions for its assurance.