Representation, equality, and inclusion in deliberative systems: desiderata for a good account. Issue 3 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erman, Eva
• Is Part Of: Critical review of international social and political philosophy. Volume 19:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 263
• Page End: 282
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: deliberative system -- deliberative democracy -- political equality -- John Dryzek -- James Bohman -- Jane Mansbridge; Political science -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 320.01
• DOI: 10.1080/13698230.2016.1144854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8230

Abstract

Abstract : What has become known as 'the systemic turn' in the recent literature on deliberative democracy looks like a promising development. However, while much theorizing has been devoted to the question of what a deliberative system may look like, very little has been offered in terms of criteria for what is required for a system to be deliberative democratic. This paper aims to contribute to the systemic approach by setting out a number of desiderata that a satisfactory account of deliberative systems should consider when developing such criteria. This is done by analyzing the main properties of a deliberative system in relation to three essential aspects of democracy: representation, equality, and inclusion. Among other things, it is argued that when theorizing criteria for what a deliberative system requires, a systemic account should carefully distinguish between political and epistemic representation, between political and epistemic equality, and between political and epistemic inclusion.