Концепт слободе у програмима релевантних партија у Србији
Concept of Freedom in Programs of Relevant Parties in Serbia

Summary/Abstract: Based on comparative analysis of the concepts of freedom in the programs of the most relevant political parties in Serbia conclusion can be drawn that after almost two decades of party pluralism in Serbia all relevant parties – namely, Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), Serbian Renewal Movement (SRM), Democratic Party (DP), Democratic Party of Serbia (DPS), G17 Plus, and in the great extent finally also Serbian Radical Party (SRP), have based their normative concept of freedom in liberal matrix. Nevertheless, definition of freedom in political party programs is still rudimentary and it is not developed in full variety of liberal thinking. Concept of liberty is primarily connected to the idea of citizen as an autonomous individual, who is using his freedom in order to achieve personal self- accomplishment. Positive concept of liberty is emphasized by political parties in their programs (above all by the SPS, as well as by the G17 Plus), whereas the negative concept of freedom – i.e. insisting on removing of external obstacles to freedom, is of secondary importance. Parties are putting emphasis on the corrective principle – which says that the right to personal freedom can be limited by the freedom of others. This principle is incorporated into the programs of four parties: SPS, SRM, DP and G17 Plus, in its explicit normative meaning that was originally formulated by John Stuart Mill. It is noticeable that free citizen has been defined in political programs in his primary status naturalis – in his natural status of freedom where he is still self- relying human being, and not active citizen who is using his freedom with the aim to achieve full status of citizenship – status civilis. Nevertheless, G17 Plus followed by SRM are making step further from the other parties in that direction – they are exhibiting one communitarian concept which besides the right to freedom emphasizes the element of responsibility towards broader community. In the same time, SRM had, together with SRP, made misusing of their declarative principle – in their first programs freedom of thoughts had degenerated into the speech of hatred towards members of national minorities. Although, these two parties have made also normative jump into the liberal field of human rights and freedoms in their further programs. That is to say that liberal consensus have been reached amongst the most relevant parties in Serbia: non-liberal normative postulates are no longer accepted as legitimate ones.

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