Konserwatywny liberalizm Václava Klausa

Abstrakt

Liberal conservatism of Václav Klaus

Vaclav Klaus is an example of a politician who can combine liberał and conservative ideas. The division line goes between an economic sphere and a political and so­cial one. In the economic sphere, Klaus supports a free market which functions on the basis of economic rights only. He emphasizes a fundamental meaningof private property and the freedom of business activity. He also indicates that satisfying your individual needs and ambitions, and not an altruistic activity in favour of other people, is the base of progress. However, he presents his conservative opinions in social issues and those related to the philosophy of life. Klaus is an adversary of the so-called civic society, because he thinks that in a democratic order the citizens’ activity should be organised within the frameworks of a party system. He criticises non-governmental organizations, especially ecological movements, which he accuses of the desire to stop progress of civilisation and economic development. In case of Klaus, we do not deal with an effort to "liberalise” conservative ideas but with equal co-existence of liberał and conservative views within the frameworks of one attitude. It should be emphasised thatviews presented by Klaus sińce the beginning of his public activity have been constant and - which is rare in case of an active politician - they seem not to be subjectto a political situation.