The first debate between liberals: A contribution to the study of political philosophy in Serbia

pages: 345-366

Abstract

In this article the author examines the first domestic philosophical debate between the two authors who perform within liberal positions. It is a debate between Leon Kojen and Aleksandar Pavkovic, conducted during 1985 in the pages of several national magazines. The main subject of controversy is the question of establishment of liberalism. Kojen is committed to seeing that liberalism is based on the equal rights, equal rights to freedom. Pavkovic criticizes this view and suggests different approach which establishes liberalism starting from interests. The author is analyzing their articles and arguments, but also attempts to shed light on the overall political and intellectual context of the liberalization of society in which the debate takes place. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 179014] Keywords: liberalism, Serbian political philosophy, Kojen, Pavkovic, equality rights