In-Class Assignment #19
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Transcript of In-Class Assignment #19
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In-Class Assignment #19
Discussion of international news websites
What did you find different across the sites?
What did you learn?
Was anything surprising?
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Hearing the Other Side: Deliberative vs. Participatory DemocracyMutz, Ch. 5
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The BasicsPolitical Discussion Foundation for democracy
Discussion Knowledge Participation
Who talks the most? Higher income, higher education, male, older
Partners and networks Safe = Similar, like-minded people Diverse = Mixed group Dangerous = Dissimilar, non-like-minded
people
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Characteristics of Informal Political Discussions Brief Between family or romantic partners Face-to-face At home Prompted by news media and
personal experience Driven by motivations of expression,
debate, and learning; rather than persuasion
Often censored to avoid conflict
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The Ideal Citizen“Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to
observation and memory. It instigates to invention.” -- John Dewey (1922)
The Ideal Citizen Politically active and strongly partisan
But not surrounded by like-minded Knowledgeable of rationale for opposing
views But not paralyzed by conflicting information and
cross-pressures Tight-knit, close networks of trust
But among people who frequently disagree Frequent discussions with disagreement
But has no repercussions for personal relationships
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The Problem
We want a PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY that engages in DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY.
“Partisans make elections happen. They are the ones who cheer in joy and who mourn in sorrow on election night.”
BUT…. “Partisans have a certain distaste for
partisanship, at least if it is to include the partisanship of those they oppose. And they do not tend to perceive their own side as very partisan at all, since it seems defensible to them”
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The Problem
Deliberative Democracy Participatory Democracy
Implies that democracy needs rational, balanced political discussion
Accepting of all political beliefs, however disagreeable
Tolerance
Open-mindedness
Non-judgmental
Implies that democracy needs active, engaged citizens
Strong partisanship
Confident judgments about which political choices are right and wrong
Actively engaged in politics (e.g., voting, rallies, volunteering, donations, knowledgeable)
VS.
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How Do Most Of Us React?“The voice of moderation is seldom very loud.”
(Mutz, 2006, p. 127)Remember, US is purpleTalk most often during safe discussion; tend to avoid dangerous discussion
But, appeal for moderate opinions and listen to “the other side” during dangerous and diverse discussion
Those mixed allegiances and cross-pressures decrease political activism
Downplay importance of politics
Become apolitical citizens to avoid social costs discussion and participationVolunteer at apolitical organizations to still show we are active citizens
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How Do Some Of Us React?
Also remember, the US does have active political extremes
Strong partisans seek like-minded partisans
Engage in safe discussion Reinforces partisan opinions Bash “the other side” Arouses activism and participation No social costs of discussion and
participation
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What’s The Right Path To Democracy?Safe Discussion Networks Good: Promote like-minded to activism
Anti-slavery movement, gay-rights movement Bad: Extremists prolong conflicts and prevent
compromise Nazi Germany
Diverse Discussion Networks Good: Abrupt change and social upheaval is
lessened Bad: Promote pressures to maintain status quo
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Who’s The Best Citizen?
Political theory encourages deliberation for best democracy “Disinterested observers” who evaluate and
tolerate
Political behavior suggests partisans for best democracy “Impassioned partisans” who persuade and
argue
The partisans educate and persuade the open-minded disinterested observers.
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In-Class Assignment #20 Can we have both? Can a citizen be a partisan yet also be a
disinterested observer when appropriate? Is that a desirable goal? Or should we recognize the important
balance of the two and be content with it?
Most Realistic Diverse Political Discussion?
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What Can We Do?
Balancing Social Harmony and Political Expression
“Sport” Approach to Politics Create common ground Disagreement adds to entertainment value Good-natured, barbed teasing, some
laughter, some substantive arguments Problems
Politics speaks to one’s values Politics has ramifications
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What Can We Do?
Balancing Social Harmony and Political Expression
Actively Promote Civility Media campaign OK to support other parties/policies/ideology Avoid making inflammatory remarks Try to hear the other side
Problems Government or media’s job to intervene? Politics is emotional
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What Can We Do?
Balancing Social Harmony and Political Expression
Teach Political Etiquette Children learn from parents and teachers Teach
How to start political talk How to politely disagree How to debate How to foster understanding of others’ opinions
Problems Who should promote this idea?
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ConclusionFor the individual citizen, diverse discussion and deliberation is more valuable.Positives
Tolerance, open-mindedness Leads to less extreme views Embodies “marketplace of ideas”
One pitfall Less participation
Founding Fathers and participation
For the country, it’s health to have both participatory and deliberative citizens.