Addresses the problems with deliberative democracy - and potential solutions - in the context of empirical evidence. Deliberative Democracy is the darling of democratic theory and political theory more generally, and generates international interest. In this book a number of leading democratic theorists address the key issues that surround the theory and practice of deliberative democracy. The problems faced bydeliberative democracy are outlined in the context of the available empirical evidence, solutions are surveyed, and new and innovative ideas are proposed to resolve these issues. Each chapter takes a key issue as its focus:* Conflict: does deliberation emasculate politics?* Inequality: does social inequality make public deliberation impossible?* Expertise: is expert knowledge compatible with deliberation among the public?* Scale: can deliberative democracy overcome problems of scale so it can be achieved in practice?* Participation and Representation: does the unwillingness of the public to deliberate in public settings make deliberation impossible?* Are deliberations among the public compatible with political representation?* Interests: does deliberation in the public policy process undermine democracy within groups?* Pluralism: given the diversity of identities, cultures, interests and opinions that exist in societies today, is deliberation possible?* The Public Sphere: can the public sphere be the site of widespread political deliberation among the public?* Mini-Publics: are deliberative mini-publics open to manipulation?* Deliberation and Democracy: should political deliberation be about trying to achieve "deliberative democracy" or "democratic deliberation"? | Deliberative Democracy by Stephen Elstub, Paperback | Indigo Chapters