The Potential of Mini-publics in a “Deliberative Community”

Abstract

Mini-publics are often criticized for causing democracy with shortcuts. In response to this criticism, we have turned to community spheres in order to broaden trust in the forum of deliberation. We thought that by repeatedly holding mini-publics in a community area, a “deliberative community” would be born. A “deliberative community” should be the foundation for achieving deliberative democracy. Next, we sorted out the types of community deliberations. There are two types of deliberations in the community sphere: “deliberation over the community sphere” and “deliberation by the community sphere.” Mini-publics held in the community area provide legitimacy to the deliberations of the community sphere. Mini-publics in the community sphere have the role of connecting the community sphere to the public sphere. In addition, mini-publics can connect multiple community spheres to create a larger “we.”