When the People Speak - Deliberative Democracy and Public Consultation (Paperback)

All over the world democratic reforms have brought power to the people - but under conditions where the people have little opportunity to think about the power that they exercise. Do we want a democracy inspired by Madison or by Madison Avenue? A democracy animated by deliberation or by manipulation? This book examines each of the principal democratic theories and makes the case for a democracy in which the people offer informed judgments about politics or policy. It then goes on to show how this form of democracy can be made a reality. When the People Speak describes deliberative democracy projects conducted by the author with various collaborators in the US, China, Britain, Denmark, Australia, Italy, Bulgaria, Northern Ireland, and in the entire European Union. These projects have resulted in the massive expansion of wind power in Texas, the building of sewage treatment plants in China, the crafting of budget solutions in a region in Italy, and greater mutual understanding between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. Critics of deliberative democracy say that it will privilege the more educated or that the public is incompetent when it comes to understanding policy issues, and should not be consulted. Others argue that it will increase polarization. Fishkin offers rebuttals for each of these arguments. Combining theory and practice he shows how a more deliberative politics is both practical and compelling.

General

Imprint:	Oxford UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	August 2011
First published:	September 2011
Authors:	James S. Fishkin
Dimensions:	234 x 153 x 16mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	236
ISBN-13:	978-0-19-960443-2
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political structure & processes > Democracy Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political control & freedoms > Political control & influence > Public opinion & polls Promotions
LSN:	0-19-960443-6
Barcode:	9780199604432

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