On the Connotation and Significance of Deliberative Democracy
Abstract
Deliberative Democracy,originated in the late 20th century, is a response and an alternative choice to the crisis of traditional democracy. Deliberative Democracy can be understood as a process that a consensus is reached according to the mutual interests by communicating and compromising freely and equally between the political community or between the members. It is a process-oriented form of democracy that stresses the political participation of ordinary citizens, lies in consultations and dialogue, rather than competition and confrontation. Its characteristics are: freedom,diversity and equality of the main consulting participants; publicity and openness in consultilation; institutionality of consulting process; reason and responsibility owned by the participants. As the theory and practice of the recently emerging democracy,Deliberative Democracy can compensate for the lack of the traditional democracy, cultivate civic responsibility, promote the legitimate decision-making, and control and restrain the operation of administrative power. This essay will be dovoted to a constructive discussion of the theory and its significance to the practice of Chinese politics by analyzing the rise and basic connotation of Deliberative Democracy to understand its theoritical characteristics.
Key words: Deliberative Democracy; basic connotation; public ration; native culture
