Dialogic Consensus as a Moral Philosophical Grounding for Deliberative Democracy

Abstract

Paul Walker and Krysia Walker

Deliberative democracy aims for citizens to come together, in a structured way, to discuss and deliberate about policy issues which affect them. Because of the essential inter-subjective bonds amongst members of a community, dialogue amongst members which aims to decide about what is best for the community, is a situation in which we can usefully call upon moral philosophical precepts. Here we consider a possible philosophical foundation for these community deliberations. Dialogic consensus is a process of inclusive, non-coercive and reflective dialogue aimed at reaching a consensual decision as to what is best for the community involved. It follows principles of universalizability and ideal speech situations, so that the values of the community can be maximised. Dialogic consensus can be justified both epistemically and normatively, and provides a potential moral philosophical underpinning to deliberative democracy.

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