Real democracy
I think Habermas is right to suggest that democracy is essentially
discursive. A simple plebiscite, continuous and electronic though it may
be, would not be an alternative to discussion. One of the dangers of
postal ballots is precisely that they shortcut such discussion. Of course,
not all public meetings are 'ideal speech situations' but the isolated
individual subject only to the pressures of privately owned mass media is
unlikely to find common cause with other disadvantaged persons unless they
can engage in some discussion with them. Empathy, seeing the other
person's point of view, establishing grounds of common interest, etc.
require that there be a forum where those common interests can be laid out
and explored. There is even something uplifting about either being with
others of similar opinion in a public place or seeing others of similar
opinion manifesting your views in a public space.
Gerry Kearns
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