¿Debemos renovar el socialismo? Contra la propuesta de Honneth

Abstract

In this essay, we question the renewal of socialism proposed by Axel Honneth. The paper is divided into three parts. Firstly, we reconstruct the defense and the conceptual renovations of the idea of socialism. Secondly, we argue that Honneth’s attempt should address the negative connotations of socialism in the current public domain that favors polarization and the platform of the right-wind political groups. Thirdly, we point out that the normative guideline that Honneth links with his renewed socialism could not easily be related to Deweyan political philosophy. The tenets of Dewey that he appeals to (i.e. his idea of overcoming communication barriers and his experimentalism) do not give any particular place to top-down reforms carried out by the State – as the renewed socialism posits. Even though Dewey is not against them, his view vindicates the cooperative intelligence of social movements and models of conviviality that foster a radical democracy. Finally, we conclude that both criticisms put in check the main motivation of the Honnethian attempt: to offer an alternative to the discontent with the current socioeconomic state of affairs under the name of “socialism.”