ABSTRACT
The concept of moral democracy does not suggest that governments should be involved in the moral reformation of citizens, indeed, it has proved to be dangerous to assign moral functions to government in that sense. This chapter provides suggestions about how the theory should be developed. J. M. Tarrant suggests that moral democracy implies the concept of dynamic equality as contrasted with the ‘passive’ equality of the market democrats. The fundamental value of democracy is that of respect for human dignity, which assumes such ideals as justice, truth, liberty and equality. The sanctity of the individual as the moral foundation of democracy has been understood within two basically different epistemological and ontological frameworks. Democratic citizens should be morally committed to the fundamental values of democracy – freedom, equality and justice. The crucial controversy centres on the question whether the active political participation of critical and morally committed citizens is a necessary precondition for democracy.
