Deliberative Democracy (Cambridge Studies in the Theory of Democracy, Series Number 1)

It is sometimes assumed that voting is the central mechanism for political decision-making. The contributors to this volume focus on an alternative mechanism, that is decision by discussion or deliberation. The original contributions include case studies based on historical and current instances of deliberative democracy, normative discussion of the merits of deliberation compared to other models of collective decision-making, and studies of the conditions under which it tends to improve the quality of decisions. This volume is characterized by a realistic approach to the issue of deliberative democracy. Rather than assuming that deliberative democracy is always ideal, the authors critically probe its limits and weaknesses as well as its strengths. Series Copyright Contents Contributors Preface and Acknowledgment Introduction ●Jon Elster 1. Historical Background 2. Conceptual Background 3. Defining Deliberative Democracy 4. Arguing over Arguing 5. Dynamics of Deliberation 6. Alternatives and Supplements to Deliberation 7. Case Studies 8. Some Further Questions Notes References 1 “Claro!”: An Essay on Discursive Machismo ●Diego Gambetta 1. Advantages of Deliberative Democracy 2. Analytical versus Indexical Knowledge 3. The Behavioral Consequences of Indexical Beliefs 4. Discursive Competition under Indexical Beliefs 5. Predictions 6. Normative Questions Notes References 2 Deliberation as Discussion ●James D. Fearon 1. Revealing Private Information 2. Lessening or Overcoming Bounded Rationality 3. Forcing or Encouraging a Particular Mode of Justifying Demands or Claims 4. Rendering the Ultimate Choice Legitimate in the Eyes of the Group 5. Improving the Moral or Intellectual Qualities of the Participants 6. Doing the "Right Thing," Independent of Any Consequences of Discussion 7. Conclusion Notes References 3 All Men Are Liars: Is Democracy Meaningless? ●Gerry Mackie 1. Introduction 2. Is Democratic Voting Meaningless? 3. Is Democratic Discussion Meaningless? 4. Is Democracy Deception? Notes References 4 Deliberation and Constitution Making ●Jon Elster 1. Constitutions and Constitution Making 2. The Deliberative Setting 3. Deliberation in Constituent Assemblies 4. Some Normative Conclusions Notes References 5 Pathologies of Deliberation ●Susan C. Stokes 1. Deliberation and Induced Preferences 2. Identities and Pseudo-identities 3. Conclusions Notes References 6 Deliberation and Ideological Domination ●Adam Przeworski I II Ill IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV Notes References 7 Arguing for Deliberation: Some Skeptical Considerations ●James Johnson 1. Introduction 2. What Is Wrong with Nondeliberative Procedures? Aggregation 3. Reasoned Argument 4. "Reasonable Pluralism" 5. The Force of the Better Argument 6. Arguing for Deliberation Notes 8 Democracy and Liberty ●Joshua Cohen 1. Main Ideas 2. Reasonable Pluralism 3. Public Reasoning 4. Discussion, Deliberation, Motivation 5. Religious Liberty 6. Expressive Liberty 7. Moral Liberty 8. Community, Legitimacy, Democracy Notes 9 Health-Health Trade-offs ●Cass R. Sunstein 1. The Problem 2. A Conceptual Map Regulated and Ancillary Risks "Richer Is Safer" Why Does It Matter? 3. Incorporating Health-Health Comparisons First Approximation Existing Law Incorporating Complexities 4. Courts and Existing Law Consideration of Ancillary Risks Refusal to Consider Ancillary Risks 5. New Institutions Congress Executive Branch Notes on Deliberative Pathologies 6. Conclusion Notes 10 Full Representation, Deliberation, and Impartiality ●Roberto Gargarella 1. Deliberation and Impartiality 2. Full Representation and Impartiality 3. Deliberation and Full Representation in the Origins of Constitutionalism Burke's Model The Founding Fathers9 Model 4. Achieving a Fully Representative System in Contemporary Societies 5. A Few Conclusions Notes References Index It is sometimes assumed that voting is the central mechanism for political decision making. However, the contributors to this volume focus on an alternative mechanismdecision by discussion or deliberation. These original contributions include case studies based on historical and current instances of deliberative democracy, normative discussion of the merits of deliberation compared with other models of collective decision making, and studies of the conditions under which deliberation tends to improve the quality of decisions. This volume takes a realistic approach: rather than assuming that deliberative democracy is always ideal, the authors critically probe its limits and weaknesses as well as its strengths. It Is Sometimes Assumed That Voting Is The Central Mechanism For Political Decision Making. The Contributors To This Volume Focus On An Alternative Mechanism, Which Is Decision By Discussion Or Deliberation. This Volume Is Characterized By A Realistic Approach To The Issue Of Deliberative Democracy. Rather Than Assuming That Deliberative Democracy Is Always Ideal, The Authors Critically Probe Its Limits And Weaknesses As Well As Its Strengths. Australia's John Uhr evaluates the role and performance of his country's parliament. Uhr looks at the place of representative assemblies in liberal political theory and examines ways in which deliberative democracy might be made more effective and meaningful in Australia. Combining political theory with first-hand knowledge, Uhr makes an important contribution to political debate. Edited By Jon Elster. Most Of The Essays In This Volume Were First Presented At A Conference Includes Bibliographical References And Index.