Two very influential political philosophers and politicians, Vladimir
Jovanovic and Slobodan Jovanovic, differed considerably in political theory.
The father, Vladimir, offered an Enlightenment-inspired rationalist critique
of the traditional values underpinning his upbringing. The son, Slobodan,
having had a non-traditional, liberal upbringing, gradually-through
analyzing and criticizing the epoch?s prevail?ing ideas, scientism,
positivism and materialism-came up with his own synthesis of traditional
and liberal, state and liberty, general and individual. Unlike Vladimir
Jovanovic, who advocated popular sovereignty, central to the political
thought of his son Slobodan was the concept of the state. On the other hand,
Slobodan shared his father?s conviction that a bicameral system was a
prerequisite for the protection of individual liberties and for good
governance. Political views based on different political philosophies
decisively influenced different understandings of parliamentarianism in
nineteenth-century Serbia, which in turn had a direct impact on the domestic
political scene and the manner of government.