Is Successful Deliberation Possible? Theories of Deliberative Democracy in Relation to the State, Civil Society and Individuals
Is Successful Deliberation Possible? Theories of Deliberative Democracy in Relation to the State, Civil Society and Individuals

Summary/Abstract: Deliberative democracy is embedded in different theories and approaches and represents a focal point for most current democratic theory. This article seeks to contribute to an understanding of the theory of deliberative democracy from various theoretical roots, each focusing on a different level or sphere of deliberation. I will consider how each theoretical perspective understands the role of the state, civil society and the individual. Based on a review of the literature, I theorise that the often overlooked combination of micro, mezzo and macro levels of deliberation must all be included for any deliberation to be successful in terms of political equality and democratic decision-making. In my view, critical theory has the greatest potential to include all three spheres of deliberation.

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