Synopsis
Kelsen defends democracy as a procedural framework grounded in relativism, compromise, and respect for minorities rather than in any absolute truth.
Core passage idea
Paraphrase · Modern copyrighted workBecause no one can claim to possess absolute political truth, democracy's value lies in letting differences compete and compromise rather than imposing one certainty by force.
It ties the case for democracy to humility about truth, making toleration and procedure its core virtues.
To avoid a bubble
Pair with Carl Schmitt, The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy.
Reading note
Read it as Kelsen's principled answer to those who demand substantive certainty over democratic procedure.
Best paired with
Carl Schmitt, The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy