Resisting illiberalism: Bureaucratic ethics in illiberal times might need Hegel more than Weber

Michael W. Bauer

doi:10.24965/gapp.11590

Autores/as

Michael W. Bauer Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute (Italia – Italy) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1010-8499

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24965/gapp.11590

Palabras clave:

ética burocrática, retroceso democrático, transformación antiliberal, responsabilidad administrativa, tutela burocrática

Resumen

Objetivos: este capítulo examina el dilema ético de los burócratas en las democracias que se enfrentan a una transformación antiliberal. Sostiene que el modelo weberiano dominante de neutralidad y obediencia jerárquica ofrece pocos fundamentos normativos para resistirse a las órdenes ejecutivas que socavan la democracia constitucional. El objetivo es explorar si la concepción de Hegel de la burocracia como parte de la vida ética (Sittlichkeit) del Estado proporciona una base más sólida para legitimar la resistencia burocrática. Metodología: el capítulo emplea un análisis conceptual y comparativo de las teorías de la burocracia de Weber y Hegel, complementado con críticas neohegelianas (Escuela de Frankfurt, Hannah Arendt). Reconstruye la visión de Hegel de la burocracia como una «clase universal» mediadora y la contrasta con el modelo éticamente minimalista de Weber para derivar implicaciones para la ética y la educación de la administración pública. Resultados: el análisis muestra que la neutralidad weberiana corre el riesgo de propiciar un retroceso democrático al convertir a los burócratas en ejecutores pasivos. El marco de Hegel, por el contrario, integra el juicio ético en las funciones institucionales y proporciona una base normativa para que los funcionarios públicos actúen como guardianes del orden constitucional bajo un régimen iliberal. Conclusiones: la formación en administración pública debe cultivar un espíritu liberal-institucional que prepare a los burócratas no solo para administrar de manera imparcial, sino también para ejercer una resistencia basada en principios cuando la democracia se vea amenazada.

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Biografía del autor/a

Michael W. Bauer, Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute (Italia – Italy)

Michael W. Bauer holds the chair of Public Administration at the Florence School of Transnational Governance of the European University Institute, Italy. His research focuses on European and international administration, multilevel governance, and democratic bureaucracy.

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