Grounded Normative Theory

Abstract

This chapter offers a way of studying deliberative democracy from an Engaged or Grounded Normative Theory (GNT) approach that blends empirical study with normative theorizing recursively, inclusively, accountably, and solidaristically. The GNT proposed in this chapter is intended to provide inspiration to deliberative democrats to develop their critical muscles and to ensure that deliberative democracy remains relevant to addressing pressing political issues, including racialized injustice and oppression. Upon outlining the basic contours of GNT as a broad field, I discuss its more specifically solidaristic expression. I then draw from my own application of solidaristic GNT methodology and offer two suggestions to encourage deliberative democrats to adopt this methodology and conduct research in ways that are in solidarity with groups, communities, and nations seeking justice as they define it.

A Democratic Theory of Life

“…This method repurposes grounded theory for the production of normative, instead of analytical, theory and infuses it with participatory research techniques. Democratic theorising builds on recent work on grounded normative theory, an agenda of developing normative theory through empirical engagement (Ackerly et al 2021;Johnson 2022). Grounded normative theory argues that much of academic democratic theory is empirically driven and part of a movement towards democratisation.…”