Table 1
Preconditions for deliberative democracy.
| Preconditions for deliberative democracy | Explanation | Relevant questions (Meadowcroft 2004) |
| Equality (Benhabib 1996; Bohman 1996; Cohen 1997; Young 2000) | All have the same chance to put issues on the agenda, to question, to interrogate, to propose solutions and to employ the full range of expressions available to everyone else. All have equal access to all relevant arenas. | Who actually participates in the deliberative interaction? Do all interested parties have an equal opportunity to express their views and influence proceedings? |
| Publicity (Benhabib 1996; Bohman 1996; Cohen 1997; Young 2000) | The acts of giving, weighing, accepting or rejecting arguments are public so that all have a chance to judge them. Arguments must be formulated in such a way that all can understand them and potentially accept them. | Is the encounter structured to encourage the emergence of shared understandings and new solutions? Is the process open to scrutiny by affected interests who cannot take part directly? |
| Reason(ableness)(Bohman 1996; Cohen 1997; Young 2000) | Deliberators must state their reasons for advancing proposals, supporting them, or criticizing them. | Is the encounter structured to facilitate reasoned analysis, to give careful attention to expert opinions? |
| Non-tyranny (Bohman 1996) | To constrain the distribution of power there are institutional requirements, usually separation of powers or legally guaranteed rights. | Which formal requirements constrain the distribution of power? How is the collective output linked to any broader decisional process? |