A deliberative democracy, if we can keep it
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2025-06-24
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en
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The theory of deliberative democracy has gained substantial traction over recent decades. As a way of creating more legitimacy within society, it is argued that citizens and representatives should engage in rational-critical debate aimed at mutual understanding. This thesis argues that the legitimacy of such a system is put into question due to a ‘two-fold threat’. This threat consists of the effect of fragmentation due to social media on the one hand, and the epistemic implications of misinformation on the other hand. The thesis proposes a multifaceted response: promoting diverse exposure on social media through digital constitutionalism, enhancing digital literacy among citizens, and scaling up deliberative mini-publics. Together, these measures aim to restore the epistemic conditions necessary for legitimate democratic deliberation in both the digital and offline public sphere.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen