LC 00419

What is deliberative democracy?

Deliberative democracy is a type of political decision making in which ‘deliberation’ is a necessity for democratic decision making. Through conversation, citizens exchange and debate their views, which enhances informed decision making. Thereby, deliberative democracy emphasizes the decision making process and aims to improve citizen engagement. The concept has been introduced in 1981 by Besette in his book Deliberative Democracy: The Majority Principle in Republican Government. Sociologist Jürgen Habermas and philosopher John Rawls have also made an important theoretical contribution. There are various ways to organize deliberation, including a citizens council or Council of Wisdom.

Criticism to deliberative democracy

In an ideal situation, everyone can participate in public debates in an equal way. In reality, power structures often pose a challenge to deliberative democracy (Young, 2001). Elites may exert their power to influence deliberative debates in their advantage, and during debates some people will be louder than others, especially the ones with unpopular opinions may remain silent (Young, 2001; Sanders, 1997). As a result, some voices may remain unheard in deliberative democracy. It is important to create an environment in which people who are usually silent or even not present at public debates start to share their perspectives and in which the ones that usually dominate a debate learn to listen (Sanders, 1997).

Uitgedunde references

1. Bessette JM. Deliberative democracy: The majority principle in republican government. How democratic is the constitution?. 1980.

2. Fung A. Survey article: Recipes for public spheres: Eight institutional design choices and their consequences. Journal of political philosophy. 2003 Sep;11(3):338-67.

3. Sanders LM. Against deliberation. Political theory. 1997 Jun;25(3):347-76.

4. Young IM. Activist challenges to deliberative democracy. Political theory. 2001 Oct; 29(5):670-90.https://democracyrd.org/

(uitdunnen, alleen internationale referenties)

1. Sanders LM. Against deliberation. Political theory. 1997 Jun;25(3):347-76.
2. Young IM. Activist challenges to deliberative democracy. Political theory. 2001 Oct;29(5):670-90.https://democracyrd.org/
3. https://g1000.nu/
4. Fung (2003) Recipes for public spaces: 8 institutional design choices.
5. https://decorrespondent.nl/11707/meer-dan-een-inspraakavond-beter-dan-een-referendum-met-deze-democratische-vernieuwing-kan-de-burger-zelf-beleid-maken/22338482979131-d58d1fad?pk_campaign=weekly&mc_cid=de8ef388b6&mc_eid=a19b4ea368
6. https://www.vpro.nl/programmas/tegenlicht/kijk/afleveringen/2019-2020/top-der-onmisbaren.html
7. https://www.vpro.nl/programmas/tegenlicht/lees/artikelen/2020/hoe-krijg-meer-invloed-democratie.html
8. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/07/03/laat-burgers-politici-helpen-organiseer-een-burgerberaad-a4004913
9. https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/09/22/geef-burgers-via-panels-stem-in-klimaatbeleid-a4013129?mc_cid=de8ef388b6&mc_eid=a19b4ea368

Referenties

• Recipes for public spaces: 8 institutional design choices, Fung, 1 januari 2003.