CIVIC VIRTUES AND TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIE TY

The study is introduced by an analysis of the concept of virtue the - contrast between its original and contemporary meaning, and a short hi storic survey of the ancient, Christian and modern interpretation of v irtue. The focus is on civic (social, beneficial) virtues and their si gnificance for the current liberal democratic society which avoids imp osing duties on citizens. The significance of the concept of virtues f or psychology (political psychology, community psychology) and educati on (normative appeal, ''civic literacy'') are pointed out. The body of the study is in the attempt to integrate the empirical research relat ed to the state of civic virtues in the transforming Czech Republic. R esults of available sociological surveys, international comparative st udies, including the author's own research lead to an assumption that the inhabitants of the Czech Republic (despite clear paternalistic and nostalgic tendencies in older and less educated people) have in gener al accepted the role of citizens. The international comparisons show t hat the Czech students display a democratic creed and high level of ci vic culture. The Czech society also manifests a great deal of trust an d loyalty to its politicians, prudence, patience, entrepreneurial spir it and a high level of optimism and hope. On the other hand-''post-tot alitarian phenomena'' are revealed as ''learned helplessness'', low se lf-confidence, low self-efficacy, ''hyponationalism'', relatively low level of working habits in youth, egalitarianism, suspiciousness and l ow level of civic associanism, generally unsatisfactory interpersonal relations and tolerance to fraud and swindles are also evident. Accord ing to Krejci, the test of national character is not only in the natio nal tragedies but also in the historically happy moments. The Czechs c an employ their relatively positive democratic dispositions for cultiv ating of democratic character and creation of functional democratic so ciety.