Deliberative quality in post-conflict citizens' assemblies

Quality of deliberation has largely been measured in processes that take place in consolidated democracies and in places with little experience of conflict. However, these conditions do not apply to most countries in world, and it is thus imperative to analyze deliberative quality under more difficult circumstances. This paper aims to broaden the debate by measuring the quality of deliberation in post-conflict contexts with weak democracy. At the same time, in order to achieve comparability of results and evidence it focuses on citizens' assemblies as a structured form of a deliberative processes. The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina is chosen as four citizens assemblies were held there between 2021 and 2024. Data was collected through pre- and post-surveys of participants of the structured deliberative processes and interviews with participants. Based on analysis of the survey data, interviews, and observation of participants’ public statements, the paper makes the claim that deliberative quality is achievable at the micro and meso level, even under structural conditions that would not favor such outcomes.