Abstract :
In this article, Rawls’ conceptions of constitutional consensus and overlapping consensus are
analyzed and evaluatedin relation to the democratization literature. Although Rawls wrote as a
political thinker and didnot make explicit references to the democratization literature in his writings,
one can discern a parallel between the democratization literature and Rawls’ depiction of the stages
for reaching an overlapping consensus. Regarding the connections between democratization
literature and Rawls’ conceptions of constitutional consensus and overlapping consensus, three
conclusions are put forth in the article. The first is that Rawls’ conception of the initial stage of
constitutional consensus, which is practically a modus vivendi, corresponds to ‘democratic
transition.’ The second argument is that Rawls’ conception of (finalized) constitutional consensus
corresponds to ‘minimalist’ and ‘negative’ democratic consolidation. And the third argument is that
Rawls’ conception of overlapping consensus corresponds to ‘maximalist’ and ‘positive’ democratic
consolidation
Keyword :
John Rawls, constitutional consensus, overlapping consensus, democratization, negative and positive democratic consolidation, minimalist and maximalist democratic consolidation