EBOOK When the People Speak:Deliberative Democracy and Public Consultation

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 toshow 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 to China,        the crafting of budget solutions in a region in Italy, and greater mutual        understanding between Catholics and Protestants inNorthern Ireland. The book is        accompanied by a DVD of "e;Europe in One Room"e; by Emmy Award documentary makers        Paladin Invision in London. The film recounts one of the most challenging        deliberative democracy efforts with a scientific sample from 27 countries speaking        21 languages.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.