Twelve Key Findings in Deliberative Democracy Research

Abstract

This essay reflects on the development of the field of deliberative democracy by discussing twelve key findings that capture a number of resolved issues in normative theory, conceptual clarification, and associated empirical results. We argue that these findings deserve to be more widely recognized and viewed as a foundation for future practice and research. We draw on our own research and that of others in the field.

Reading News with a Purpose

“…Broaden Horizons: This goal highlights the need for diversity in news selection [18]. Broadening one's horizon can help combat polarization, in addition to achieving greater personal well-being, understanding, and tolerance [7]. Moreover, in the high-choice information environment, assessing which perspective is actually truthful can be difficult [16].…”

Politicians, professionalization and anti-politics: why we want leaders who act like professionals but are paid like amateurs

“…More radical variants of the 'supply-side' argument can be found in the burgeoning literature on deliberative and participatory democracy (e.g. Curato et al 2017). In this scenario, the professional politician is unfavourably juxtaposed with the passionate or ideologically driven citizen-legislator, dutiful landed gentry of the late nineteenth century, or the localized community activist (Neblo et al 2010).…”

Participatory innovations and maxi‐publics: The influence of participation possibilities on perceived legitimacy at the local level in Finland

“…Both participatory and deliberative democrats are devoted to democratising decision-making processes by improving the quality of participation in the public sphere (Curato et al 2017) with a slightly different focus. Both participatory and deliberative democrats are devoted to democratising decision-making processes by improving the quality of participation in the public sphere (Curato et al 2017) with a slightly different focus.…”

“…PIs have received a great deal of scholarly attention in political theory and empirical research. Both participatory and deliberative democrats are devoted to democratising decision-making processes by improving the quality of participation in the public sphere (Curato et al 2017) with a slightly different focus. While participatory democracy stresses citizens' rights to influence decision making in multiple arenas of everyday life (Pateman 2012), deliberative democracy emphasises the processes of democratic talk and collective opinion-formation (Chambers 2003).…”