Hearing the Other Side
Deliberative versus Participatory Democracy

This book examines the consequences - both positive and negative - of living in mixed political company.

Diana C. Mutz (Author)

9780521612289, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 March 2006

184 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1 cm, 0.27 kg

"This engagingly written and carefully researched book suggests that there may be an empirical tension between theories of deliberative democracy and participatory democracy." - Benjamin I. Page, Northwestern University

'Religion and politics', as the old saying goes, 'should never be discussed in mixed company.'And yet fostering discussions that cross lines of political difference has long been a central concern of political theorists. More recently, it has also become a cause célèbre for pundits and civic-minded citizens wanting to improve the health of American democracy. But only recently have scholars begun empirical investigations of where and with what consequences people interact with those whose political views differ from their own. Hearing the Other Side examines this theme in the context of the contemporary United States. It is unique in its effort to link political theory with empirical research. Drawing on her empirical work, Mutz suggests that it is doubtful that an extremely activist political culture can also be a heavily deliberative one.

1. Hearing the other side, in theory and in practice
2. Encountering mixed political company: with whom and in what context?
3. Benefits of hearing the other side
4. The dark side of mixed political company
5. The social citizen.

Subject Areas: Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Political science & theory [JPA], Sociology & anthropology [JH], Media studies [JFD], Regional studies [GTB]