In contemporary debates about the quality of our existing democracies\, \;the need for a greater democratic inclusiveness is among \;the most resonant issuues. Analyses of the exclusionary mechanisms of \;Western liberal democracies\, originally introduced \;in critical theory\, have found powerful\, mainstream expressions in the \;ever-growing literature on deliberative theory &ndash\; and specifically\, the \;role of the critical public and civil society in democratic \;deliberation. To many\, the deliberative model offers a \;cure for the weakened legitimacy of Western democratic systems. Hopes \;are high that by restoring critical public arenas and \;spaces for rational deliberation\, citizens will reclaim their control \;of political decision-making &ndash\; and ultimately make democracy stronger\, more trustworthy\, and stable in the eyes of whole society. Yet \;such accounts raise pressing questions and practical \;challenges related to the political\, institutional\, legal\, and social \;implications of the deliberative model\, in particular vis-à\;-vis \;potentially marginalized individuals or groups.
This inter-disciplinary conference will explore both the resources \;deliberative theory may provide\, and its potential \;weaknesses when faced with the reality of politics and the complexity \;of contemporary societies\, their plurality (in values\, ethnicity and \;culture)\, their socio-economic inequalities\, and the other forms of \;social division\, stratification and disadvantage we find in them. A \;key focus will be on the possibilities and barriers surrounding the \;democratic inclusion of individuals and groups marginalized on basis \;of culture\, ethnicity\, religion\, gender\, economic inequality\, or other \;forms of structural disadvantage.
The conference is open to interested journalists\, civil servants\, NGO \;workers\, and students.
Conference language: English
There is no conference (registration) fee. Participants are expected \;to cover their travel and accommodation costs.
For further information please contact the organizer:
Lenka Strnadova
Katedra politologie a mezinarodnich vztahu
Zapadoceske university v Plzni
Avalon Business Center
Podebradova 2842/1
301 00 Plzen Czech Republic
E-mail: \;lstrnad@kap.zcu.cz
Web:
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