CIVIC EDUCATION AND SHAPING ELITES IN SOCIAL THEORY OF JOSÉ ORTEGA Y GASSET

Abstract

The social concept of José Ortega y Gasasse was developed at the beginning of the twentieth century but still remains valid. This article highlights in a special way the importance of civic education as a foundation for building a democratic society and shaping elites. In the light of Ortega y Gasset’s liberalism, important assumptions regarding freedom, civic education as well as the formation of elites are being analysed. These issues will be analysed in the context of assumptions regarding the principles of shaping the privacy of each citizen, which is the centre and source of all activities of the individual. Properly shaped privacy is the main goal of civic education and guarantees the formation of elites in society.