In-Class Assignment #19

Discussion of international news websites

What did you find different across the sites?

What did you learn?

Was anything surprising?

Hearing the Other Side: Deliberative vs. Participatory DemocracyMutz, Ch. 5

The BasicsPolitical Discussion Foundation for democracy

Discussion Knowledge Participation

Who talks the most? Higher income, higher education, male, older

Partners and networks Safe = Similar, like-minded people Diverse = Mixed group Dangerous = Dissimilar, non-like-minded

people

Characteristics of Informal Political Discussions Brief Between family or romantic partners Face-to-face At home Prompted by news media and

personal experience Driven by motivations of expression,

debate, and learning; rather than persuasion

Often censored to avoid conflict

The Ideal Citizen“Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to

observation and memory. It instigates to invention.” -- John Dewey (1922)

The Ideal Citizen Politically active and strongly partisan

But not surrounded by like-minded Knowledgeable of rationale for opposing

views But not paralyzed by conflicting information and

cross-pressures Tight-knit, close networks of trust

But among people who frequently disagree Frequent discussions with disagreement

But has no repercussions for personal relationships

The Problem

We want a PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY that engages in DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY.

“Partisans make elections happen. They are the ones who cheer in joy and who mourn in sorrow on election night.”

BUT…. “Partisans have a certain distaste for

partisanship, at least if it is to include the partisanship of those they oppose. And they do not tend to perceive their own side as very partisan at all, since it seems defensible to them”

The Problem

Deliberative Democracy Participatory Democracy

Implies that democracy needs rational, balanced political discussion

Accepting of all political beliefs, however disagreeable

Tolerance

Open-mindedness

Non-judgmental

Implies that democracy needs active, engaged citizens

Strong partisanship

Confident judgments about which political choices are right and wrong

Actively engaged in politics (e.g., voting, rallies, volunteering, donations, knowledgeable)

VS.

How Do Most Of Us React?“The voice of moderation is seldom very loud.”

(Mutz, 2006, p. 127)Remember, US is purpleTalk most often during safe discussion; tend to avoid dangerous discussion

But, appeal for moderate opinions and listen to “the other side” during dangerous and diverse discussion

Those mixed allegiances and cross-pressures decrease political activism

Downplay importance of politics

Become apolitical citizens to avoid social costs discussion and participationVolunteer at apolitical organizations to still show we are active citizens

How Do Some Of Us React?

Also remember, the US does have active political extremes

Strong partisans seek like-minded partisans

Engage in safe discussion Reinforces partisan opinions Bash “the other side” Arouses activism and participation No social costs of discussion and

participation

What’s The Right Path To Democracy?Safe Discussion Networks Good: Promote like-minded to activism

Anti-slavery movement, gay-rights movement Bad: Extremists prolong conflicts and prevent

compromise Nazi Germany

Diverse Discussion Networks Good: Abrupt change and social upheaval is

lessened Bad: Promote pressures to maintain status quo

Who’s The Best Citizen?

Political theory encourages deliberation for best democracy “Disinterested observers” who evaluate and

tolerate

Political behavior suggests partisans for best democracy “Impassioned partisans” who persuade and

argue

The partisans educate and persuade the open-minded disinterested observers.

In-Class Assignment #20 Can we have both? Can a citizen be a partisan yet also be a

disinterested observer when appropriate? Is that a desirable goal? Or should we recognize the important

balance of the two and be content with it?

Most Realistic Diverse Political Discussion?

What Can We Do?

Balancing Social Harmony and Political Expression

“Sport” Approach to Politics Create common ground Disagreement adds to entertainment value Good-natured, barbed teasing, some

laughter, some substantive arguments Problems

Politics speaks to one’s values Politics has ramifications

What Can We Do?

Balancing Social Harmony and Political Expression

Actively Promote Civility Media campaign OK to support other parties/policies/ideology Avoid making inflammatory remarks Try to hear the other side

Problems Government or media’s job to intervene? Politics is emotional

What Can We Do?

Balancing Social Harmony and Political Expression

Teach Political Etiquette Children learn from parents and teachers Teach

How to start political talk How to politely disagree How to debate How to foster understanding of others’ opinions

Problems Who should promote this idea?

ConclusionFor the individual citizen, diverse discussion and deliberation is more valuable.Positives

Tolerance, open-mindedness Leads to less extreme views Embodies “marketplace of ideas”

One pitfall Less participation

Founding Fathers and participation

For the country, it’s health to have both participatory and deliberative citizens.