Yves R. Simon

This is a long overdue analysis of Yves R. Simon's profound contribution to the theory and practice of democracy. One of the twentieth century's major philosophers, Simon defended democracy as a way to human fulfillment, not from modern idealist or pragmatic premises, but on the basis of the classical Aristotelian-Thomistic understanding of politics and its realistic assessment of human nature. Prominent scholar Vukan Kuic, who has edited several of Simon's posthumous volumes, analyzes Simon's treatment of the functions of government, his theories of democratic liberty and equality, and his concerns about the problems that modern technology presents for democracy. This comprehensive examination also provides readers with an outline of Simon's larger philosophical framework which both confirmed democracy as the best regime and redeemed the autonomy of political science.

Vukan Kuic is professor emeritus in the Department of Government and International studies at the University of South Carolina.