공공 영역과 ‘시민됨’의 문화적 조건

초록

Adopting Hannah Arendt's theory, this article examines the cultural conditions of ‘citizenship’. In the Western societies, public space and citizen emerged in a particular historical context, which means that these concepts implicated with certain cultural conditions of those societies. It follows that discussion of public space and citizen in Korean society must entail reflections on the cultural conditions. This article examines the cultural conditions of ‘citizenship’ in three respects. First condition is the motivation of participation in the public space. According to Arendt, public space is the space where, through speech and action, people reveal their individuality to others. Therefore, citizens should be a sober narcissist who has the ‘desire for self-display’ to others. Second condition is the attitude that is needed for citizens to participate in the public space. Comparing political action to performing arts, Arendt argues that citizens in the public space need ‘public mask’ they have something to hide and certain voices to be heard. What should be hidden are material interests and private emotions of intimacy. They are inappropriate to the public space because they do not allow any critical distance that is needed for self-reflection. What should be voiced are the ‘principles’ of a community, such as greatness, honor, and excellency, and the ‘solidarity’ that is formed by these principles. Just as an actor shows her/his virtuosity to audience, through their action, citizens must reveal their greatness and excellency to others in the public space. Third condition is the presupposition for communication in the public space. In order for a desirable communication to be possible, the attitude of ‘tolerance’ to others must be presupposed. The examination of the three cultural conditions gives a chance to reflect on the relationship between democracy and culture in Korean society.