A Demnocratic Oakeshott?

Abstract

This study explores features of Michael Oakeshott's political thought that have attracted interest from an unexpected source, those who are advocates of radical democratic theory and practice. I examine aspects of this interest in Oakeshott's concepts of civil and enterprise association, and his preference of the former over the latter. I suggest that the primary difference between these concepts is based in the relationship between power and freedom in the modern state. When conceived as the state, enterprise association cannot maintain the freedom it offers, whereas civil association can. I argue, however, that Oakeshott, who is skeptical of the notion that a common good could serve as the basis of state as enterprise association, is himself not skeptical about the consensus required for the acknowledgment of the authority of civil association. Nonetheless, even in his removal of issues of authority from politics, Oakeshott ironically highlights a site for engagement for the democratic citizen.