Deliberative Democracy [Paperback]

This volume assesses the strengths and weaknesses of deliberative democracy.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. 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.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. 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.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.List of contributors; Preface and acknowledgement; Introduction Jon Elster; 1. 'Claro!': an essay on discursive machismo Diego Gambetta; 2. Deliberation as discussion James D. Fearon; 3. All men are liars: is democracy meaningless? Gerrie Mackie; 4. Deliberation and constitution making Jon Elster; 5. Pathologies of deliberation Susan C. Stokes; 6. Deliberation and ideological domination Adam Przeworski; 7. Arguing for deliberation: some skeptical considerations James Johnson; 8. Democracy and liberty Joshua Cohen; 9. Health-health trade-offs Cass R. Sunstein; 10. Full rlcA