Jose Andre

Embora ocupe um lugar importante na arquitectura conceptual do pensamento kantiano, a noção de antagonismo raramente merece especial atenção dos estudiosos de Kant. Este artigo procura combater esse esquecimento, enfatizando a relevância daquele conceito, em particular na filosofia política de Kant. Serão consideradas nomeadamente a dualidade/convergência dos conceitos de “guerra” e “paz” e a forma como a noção de antagonismo serve de sólido alicerce para a ideia kantiana de progresso. Procurarei mostrar como a proposta de edificação de um estado de direito (em um nível interno e externo) é, no fim de contas, gerada por um estímulo negativo – a discórdia intersubjectiva e a necessidade de os homens se entenderem para garantir a sua sobrevivência. Esta análise sublinhará a relação intrínseca entre uma dinâmica de conflito e o inevitável desenvolvimento das disposições naturais do homem em direcção a um estado de mútua concórdia

Recent years have brought new challenges to contemporary democratic societies, which seem to be submerged in a crisis widely acknowledged. Our paper aims to consider potential solutions to these problems, reassessing the benefits of federalism in diverse matters, such as the control of abuses of power, the promotion of popular involvement in the decision-making process, the reappraisal of the notion of citizenship, the reorganization of parties, the protection of minorities and adaptation to globalization.

The term “cordage” refers to rope and string, and to the products made from these, such as netting. Its presence among some of the oldest artifacts found on archaeological sites testifies to its usefulness through the ages. In ancient Egypt, the production of cordage was relatively simple, for it could be made by hand without special implements. However, the manufacture of thick rope required the efforts of more than one person and/or the use of special tools. Various materials were used to make cordage, depending on the availability of the necessary plants and also on the intended function of the cordage.

This paper is concerned with the political philosophy of Richard Price, analysing the way this author has developed the concept of liberty and the problem of human rights. The theme of liberty will be interpreted in a double perspective: a) in a private dimension, that sets liberty in the inner side of the individual; b) in a public dimension, that places it in the domain of a manifest action of the individual. We will try to show how this double outlook of liberty is conceived under the optics of a necessary complementarity, since liberty, which is primarily understood as a feature of the subject taken as an individual, acquires only a full meaning when she becomes efective in a comunitary field, as a social and political expression. The concept of human rights will appear located in this analysis, being defined simultaneously as condition and expression of the human dignity and happiness, at the same time natural attributes of an individual that should be cultivated and public effectiveness that contributes to the development of society.

This paper includes the exam of a Ph.D thesis about James Madison’s political philosophy, as well as the answers presented by the candidate to several criticai observations. Various themes are considered, though always surrounding Madison’s work: the peculiar characteristics of his federalism, the relationship between the idea of human nature and the elaboration of political models, the political and constitutional controversies that Madison entangled with several figures from its time, the problem of “judicial review” and the place of “constitutionality control” taken from a reflexive and institutional point of view, and other similar themes.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the contribution of Statesman James Madison - in its theoretical and practical component - to the solution of a classical problem of Political Philosophy: how is it possible to guarantee the protection of citizens within a political project that deeply involves them? First, we will consider Madison’s theoretical contributions, examining his letters, political writings and speeches; secondly, we will analyse his participation in the discussion and framing of the American Bill of Rights, there by trying to widerstand the reasons for its success and how important Madison’s procedures and observations were in accomplishing it.