Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power

Among the most interesting contributions to contemporary deliberative democratic theory are a number of arguments against deliberation leveled by radical democratic theorists such as Iris Marion Young and Lynn Sanders. These theorists question the meaning and efficacy of deliberation based on deep a...

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Main Authors: Alison Kadlec, Will Friedman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Westminster Press 2007-05-01
Series:Journal of Deliberative Democracy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://delibdemjournal.org/article/id/326/
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author Alison Kadlec
Will Friedman
author_facet Alison Kadlec
Will Friedman
author_sort Alison Kadlec
collection DOAJ
description Among the most interesting contributions to contemporary deliberative democratic theory are a number of arguments against deliberation leveled by radical democratic theorists such as Iris Marion Young and Lynn Sanders. These theorists question the meaning and efficacy of deliberation based on deep and vital insights about the impact of structural inequalities and entrenched relations of power. We consider these insights to be critical cautions that deliberative democrats must confront, and offer a response that draws on both theory and practical experience. In particular, we suggest that careful attention to three fundamental challenges of deliberative practice, those of control, design, and democratic change, can go a long way towards ensuring that meaningful and effective deliberation is possible in the face of deep structural inequalities and complex power relations.
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spelling doaj.art-30a7e8bb7a7f4be684d9604d7d52071f2022-12-22T02:51:53ZengUniversity of Westminster PressJournal of Deliberative Democracy2634-04882007-05-013110.16997/jdd.49Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of PowerAlison Kadlec0Will Friedman1Public AgendaPublic AgendaAmong the most interesting contributions to contemporary deliberative democratic theory are a number of arguments against deliberation leveled by radical democratic theorists such as Iris Marion Young and Lynn Sanders. These theorists question the meaning and efficacy of deliberation based on deep and vital insights about the impact of structural inequalities and entrenched relations of power. We consider these insights to be critical cautions that deliberative democrats must confront, and offer a response that draws on both theory and practical experience. In particular, we suggest that careful attention to three fundamental challenges of deliberative practice, those of control, design, and democratic change, can go a long way towards ensuring that meaningful and effective deliberation is possible in the face of deep structural inequalities and complex power relations.https://delibdemjournal.org/article/id/326/democratic theorypowerdeliberative democracy
spellingShingle Alison Kadlec
Will Friedman
Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power
Journal of Deliberative Democracy
democratic theory
power
deliberative democracy
title Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power
title_full Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power
title_fullStr Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power
title_full_unstemmed Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power
title_short Deliberative Democracy and the Problem of Power
title_sort deliberative democracy and the problem of power
topic democratic theory
power
deliberative democracy
url https://delibdemjournal.org/article/id/326/
work_keys_str_mv AT alisonkadlec deliberativedemocracyandtheproblemofpower
AT willfriedman deliberativedemocracyandtheproblemofpower