Deliberative Democracy as a Critical Theory

Deliberative democracy’s roots in critical theory are often invoked in relation to deliberative norms; yet critical theory also stands for an ambition, and imperative, to provoke tangible change in the real world of political practice. From this perspective, this paper re-considers what deliberative democracy ought to look like as a critical theory, concluding that it must be activist in an emancipatory sense, and democratic in a self-reflexive sense. In terms of theory, the critical contribution of ideal theory is highlighted, suggesting the need for deliberative democracy to retain a sphere of normative theorising that abstracts from the real world. Yet at the same time, the paper argues, the real-world imperative of critical theory demands an ‘activist’ dimension, translating even its more radical norms into real-world change. This has not just theoretical and practical, but also methodological implications. Against conceptions of activism as pushing through one’s pregiven convictions by any means necessary and without considering others’ views, recent debates in critical theory highlight the necessity of a truly critical activism to be emancipatory in a way that is enabling rather than imposing, and inclusive rather than ‘enlightened’. Deliberative democracy, then, is at once a critical theory of democracy and a democratic critical theory. It is a critical theory of democracy insofar as it understands democracy to consist in political structures and norms that provide the foundation for emancipation. Yet to be truly critical in this sense, it must also be a democratic critical theory, committing itself to being an innately inclusive and reflexive project rather than a substantive theory to be implemented. Thus, interpreting deliberative democracy as a critical theory means to apply its own principles to itself, by being critically self-reflexive in its theorising, and democratising its own practice.