Abstract
Habermas’ theory of the public sphere has been given much attention. However, it has not been made clear yet where this theory stands in the entire structure of his social theory. First of all, this paper seeks to make it clear that this theory is constructed to solve the problem raised by his main published work, The Theory of Communicative Action. In this work, the system-mediated relationships are not denied as a whole, but criticized only for their expansion that brings about the difficulties for the civil social sphere, and moreover they are even considered rational. Thus this work raises the problem of reconciling the civil social sphere with the system-mediated relationships. And this problem is exactly what his theory of the public sphere tries to solve. This paper also seeks to make it clear that Habermas’ theory of the public sphere makes a contribution to contemporary social theory. The problem his theory tries to solve overlaps with the problem postulated in the civil society arguments in our time. According to the arguments, the civil society is based on the solidarity that depends on language. But, taking into the consideration the instructions the arguments about the social system give, we have to think further that the civil society needs to be reconciled with the system-mediated relationships. At this point we are confronted with the same problem Habermas’ theory of the public sphere tries to solve. It is certain that we can find some weak points with Habermas’ theory of the public sphere. However, it is instructive when we admit the rationality of the system-mediated relationships but try to defend the civil social sphere against them, so it still holds an important position in the entire structure of his social theory.
