Deliberation

Deliberation refers to a process of reflection undertaken by individuals or groups to reach reasoned and considered decisions. Deliberation has an epistemic function to improve decisions and uncover the best argument. It is often assumed that because of deliberation, individuals' beliefs and judgments are transformed as they consider new facts, arguments, and points of view. In individual deliberation, the deliberator weighs and evaluates each possible solution and then arrives at a decision. Group deliberation consists of reasoned discussion. When groups deliberate, the process acquires a dimension of power.

Deliberation can be either formal or informal. Examples of formalized deliberating groups are juries or legislatures. An example of informal deliberation is the ongoing discussion between different groups in civil society, but discussions within families and civic organizations are also examples of informal deliberation.

Group deliberation is characterized by communication aimed at persuasion. Ideal deliberative processes should be reasoned, equal, and open discussions where participants are prepared to change their views as a result of the arguments presented. In reality, deliberation does not live up to such a high standard. Some members of the group will be more powerful than others, and some arguments will be more persuasive than others, regardless of their merits. Although deliberation could ideally be aimed at reaching a common good for the group, in practice, the private interests of group members will be powerful forces.

Inequality within the group leads to differences in the power each group member possesses. The socioeconomic background of participants can define their roles in the discussion. As an example, jury deliberations tend to be dominated by well-educated white males. Actors who are powerful outside of deliberation will be powerful in deliberative settings as well. In deliberations between states, the most powerful nation will wield more power.

Inequalities also exist with regard to the ability of deliberators. Good orators are more likely to convince others, regardless of the merit of their arguments. There is a danger that intelligent and persuasive individuals could manipulate deliberation to serve their own interests. Other resources, such as time, information, or the respect of other members of the community, will also make some deliberators more influential than others.

Arguments themselves will have different power. Although some place hope in the power of the best argument to defeat all others, this is not necessarily the argument that will resonate most with deliberators. Arguments that appeal to strong background beliefs and feelings will be more powerful. Arguments that support the views deliberators already hold will also be more persuasive.

Deliberation is seen as a good way of increasing citizen involvement and participation in politics. In political theory, deliberative democracy has engendered a new interest in increasing deliberation in politics, as current democratic systems focus more on elections than on decision making through reasoned debate. Deliberative experiments and meetings are organized to increase citizen involvement in public policy making.