Essentially Contested America

A deliberative democracy should inter alia address a diverse range of views to take seriously, critically evaluate, reject or accept as the circumstances indicate. Ghettoizing particular perspectives to that they are insulated from serious confrontation with other perspectives is anathema to deliberative democracy. While, American political argument thrives within the parameters of particular political paradigms, cross-paradigm argument is brutal, hostile, and blatantly dishonest.  Consider the posturing of the Rush Limbaughs and Bill O’Reillys in the media, and the Dick Cheneys in politics. (Yes, the Left has its share also.). Until fair, honest, and compassionate political attitudes define our political conversations, deliberative democracy will remain illusory and though we will speak and write volumes little consensus building will be possble.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 12:54 pm and is filed under Constitutionalism, Deliberative Conversationalism, Democracy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.