Abstract

PACHON SOTO, Damián. The “New Idol” and the Herd. State and Democracy in Nietzsche. Estud. Polit. [online]. 2023, n.66, pp.102-124.  Epub June 27, 2023. ISSN 0121-5167.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.espo.n66a05.

This article analyzes Nietzsche’s criticism of the State and democracy. It examines the German thinker’s criticism of contractualist theories and the way in which the State instrumentalizes education and culture, equalizing and leveling individuals, and making them useful to capitalism and the social division of labor. According to Nietzsche, the State should be a means for the creation of a superior human being and culture; the State should not be an end in itself. Likewise, Nietzsche’s criticism of modern democracy is shown, presenting it as an heir to Christianity that sides with weak values that dwarf the human being. Democracy weakens the vital force by equalizing, homogenizing, and leveling the individual and reproducing the gregarious spirit. In this aspect, it is complicit with the State. The article points out that Nietzsche was not sensitive to the social issues of the 19th century and the demands of political movements.

Keywords : Political Philosophy; State; Democracy; Liberalism; Socialism; Nietzsche, Friedrich.

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