Jurgen Habermass Concept of Public Sphere :: essays research papers

Jurgen Habermass image of Public SphereJurgen Habermas substantial the concept of Public Sphere, an open network to facilitate exchanges, as a part of a larger project dealing with the paradoxical consequences of acute western capitalism.The project is deeply rooted in Webers disapprovals on the power of religion (Calvinism) in the development of capitalism in the North-Atlantic Rim, and the Marxist review of such reflections as laid out by the members of the Frankfurt school day (Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer).Adorno and Horkheimer, however, found themselves at a deadend when they were unable to de-reify their own concept of culture. It is precisely there where Habermas breaks away from the concerns of the Frankfurt School and begins his own reflection that, on the one hand, de-reifies the concept of culture (culture uiltimately is a product of institutions and humankind interaction and not a variable with life of its own, as Adorno and Horkheimer put on at some point ).Habermas stand on the development of capitalism leads him to retaking an insight from the old Marx capitalism, with all its contradictions and fallacies, has the seed of its own transformation (destruction for Marx) in the form of the exchanges that it encourages, but mostly because of its very need of wise domination. If rational domination is required (as opposed to traditional or charismatic), then it is indispensable to discoursevely build the agreements that the law embodies.If so, then institutions like the Parliament are inescapable and with it some discussion of public issues and concerns.Habermas finds the origin of such discussions and concerns in the number of coffee-houses all over Europe during the Enlightenment era. Of course, participation in such activities was heavily restricted by class and in some cases (the European Jewish populations are a perfect example of it) by head for the hills and/or ethnicity.Habermas finds that even if such restrictions exist, the drive of the Enlightenment project volition be enough to allow for progressive openings, that over time impart prevent against discrimination.Habermas is well aware of the limitations of his model.