ON THE RECONCILIATION OF TRADITION AND DEMOCRACY IN THE THOUGHT OF GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to present Chestertonian idea of the tradition as the democracy of the dead. This idea is also critically compare with the political ideas of Hans-Georg Gadamer and John D. Caputo. The article consists of four main parts. The first part contains a reconstruction of Chesterton’s reflection on democracy of the dead, which inclusiveness do not let to forget the voices of our ancestors. In the second part the thought of Chesterton is polemically juxtaposed with philosophical ideas of Hans-Georg Gadamer, who pointed out the need for constant updating of the tradition to the contemporary requirements. Third part contains a critique of the Chestertonian ideas carried out in the spirit of John D. Caputo’s radical hermeneutics. One of the main goal of this hermeneutics is breaking the unity of tradition. In the fourth part they are presented concrete examples of the struggle of Polish (the construction of the Temple of Divine Providence) and Swiss (debate on changing the national anthem) democracy with the traditions of their ancestors.