DEFENSE OF EGALITARIAN VALUES IN THE CONTEMPORARY CROATIAN SOCIAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL-LEGAL ORDER: RE-EXAMINING THE EGALITARIAN SYNDROME THEORY

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to defend egalitarian (social) values ​​in the contemporary society in Croatia. In this sense, the validity of the basic assumptions and constituent components of Josip Županov’s "egalitarian syndrome" theory are examined. A conclusion is drawn about the inadmissibility of labelling egalitarian values ​​as unacceptable and undesirable using the clinical epithet "syndromic". The attempts of empirical confirmation of the presence of egalitarian syndrome in Croatian society by some authors are presented, and the failure of such research is pointed out. Namely, it is possible to prove the existence of certain values ​​that appear as building blocks within Županov's theory, but it is inappropriate to interpret their (assumed) "joint manifestation" as a "social disease". Given that the grouping of individual values ​​under the cap of the egalitarian syndrome is artificial, any attempt of empirical verification must stop at examining the existence of building components (specific social values), which by themselves and outside Županov's theoretical construct, are not a priori negative. Finally, the importance of egalitarian values ​​in establishing modern European democratic orders is emphasized, as well as commitment of the Croatian constitution-maker to the concept of the welfare state and the principle of social justice.