Deliberative Democracy Now

"Dysfunction in American democracy has become a source of concern and even alarm to people across the political spectrum in the US and around the globe. While these concerns are well founded, it is worthwhile to remember that democracy itself is evolving. Like other forms of social self-organization it shifts and transforms in and over time as societies themselves change in unforeseen ways. For several decades numerous scholars have held that one next possible stage in the evolution of democracy is the emergence of "deliberative democracy." In this vision, deliberative democracy is generally defined as democratic self- governance in which a democratic public makes choices regarding how to live in common through a conversation-based process of collective discussion and reflection. This deliberative process has been described often-frequently following the philosopher Jurgen Habermas-as involving an exchange of reasons among people who are engaged in meaningful communication and consideration on a matter of common concern. In this model of deliberative democracy, therefore, a common will emerges through the process of collective reflection, discussion, and choice"--