The Philosophical ‘Moment’ of Marx’s Theory of Democracy: From the Metaphysics of Law to the Critique of Politics

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Marx as a university student. Starting from Marx’s letter to his father (10 November 1837), I follow his journey from what he defined as the ‘metaphysics of law’ to his critique of the state. I consider both Marx’s readings of ancient Greek philosophy and his extracts from Spinoza’s Theologico-Political Treatise. Moving within the frame of the philosophical conflict between the Historical School of Law, as represented especially by Savigny, and the Hegelian Philosophy of Right, as defended by Gans, I draw attention to the impact this conflict exerted on the young Marx’s theory of politics. Finally, taking into account Bruno Bauer’s ‘Der christliche Staat und unsere Zeit’ as a crucial document for the intellectual relation between Bauer and Marx, I conclude that, although Marx was not yet ready to compose a theory of democracy, he was already able to conceive the philosophical principle of autonomy, not as an a priori/normative Idea, but in close connection with the social and political milieu of his time.