dr. Boris Milosavljevic: Vladimir Jovanovic: Philosophy, science, politics

The unity of freedom, science and nation, viz. liberalism, positivism and nationalism, as well as his belief in two fundamental principles - freedom and justice, were the two lodestars and credo of Vladimir Jovanovic`s entire political work and view of life. Although he was strongly inclined to the continental liberalism, he corrected it with Millian liberalism and embracement of the Westminster system, thus avoiding the radicalism of the French role model, which was followed by the prevalent majority of socialist and Marxian-oriented Serb intelectuals in the second half of the XIX century and the first half of XX century. Vladimir Jovanovic firmly belived that liberty was the right exercise of which must not be blocked out by the ideal of equality. As a positivist, he appreciated Herbert Spencer?s theory of evolution, organic interpretation of society and analogy between the natural and social domains, according to which social phenomena could be reduced on natural laws. Under Mazzini?s influence he made a synthesis of liberalism and nationalism. Vladimir Jovanovic`s son Slobodan Jovanovic pointed out that unity of freedom, science and nation was not founded in sciences itself, but in rationalist philosophy. Liberalism, positivism and patriotism were not only concepts of Vladimir Jovanovic`s political theory, but also ideological basis for his active political work.