Deliberative democracy in the age of serial crisis
| Author | Jensen Sass,Simon Niemeyer,Selen A Ercan,Nicole Curato |
| DOI | 10.1177/0192512120941882 |
| Published date | 01 January 2022 |
| Date | 01 January 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512120941882
International Political Science Review
2022, Vol. 43(1) 55 –66
© The Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0192512120941882
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Deliberative democracy
in the age of serial crisis
Nicole Curato
University of Canberra, Australia
Jensen Sass
Australian National University, Australia
Selen A Ercan
University of Canberra, Australia
Simon Niemeyer
University of Canberra, Australia
Abstract
What is the state of deliberative democracy in the age of serial crisis? This survey article provides a
descriptive and reflective assessment of recent developments in the field in the light of a political context
in which there is growing incivility, political polarization, normalization of disinformation and the growing
appeal of finding simplistic solutions to complex problems. We describe deliberative democracy as a field
of research that has evolved to become (a) assertive in practice, (b) precise in theory, (c) global in reach
and (d) ambitious in empirical research. For each of these facets of deliberative democracy, we reflect on
the extent to which the field has responded to conceptual, empirical and political challenges, and identify its
shortcomings, which warrant further attention. We conclude by drawing attention to research imperatives
that the field needs to address to remain relevant in a highly unequal, climate-challenged and increasingly
fragile global public sphere.
Keywords
Deliberative democracy, normative political theory, democratic theory, mini-publics, public sphere
Corresponding author:
Nicole Curato, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra, 11 Kirinari St,
Bruce ACT 2617, Australia.
Email: Nicole.Curato@canberra.edu.au
941882IPS0010.1177/0192512120941882International Political Science ReviewCurato et al.
research-article2020
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