Work

Deliberating with Diablo: How to Confront the Crisis of Political Communication and Help Save Democracy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The crisis of democracy is largely a crisis of public communication. Dishonest and manipulative communication from unscrupulous elites—massively amplified by social media—distorts public spheres and helps drive democratic backsliding. Can citizens see through these manipulations and set a deliberative constraint—including minimal truthfulness and civility norms—on bad elite behavior? No single intervention will of itself heal the public sphere. Rather a robust discursive infrastructure consisting of diverse interpersonal networks, smart deliberative interventions, and democratic activism is vital, alongside the construction of discursive bridges to those attracted by populism, authoritarianism, and extremism.

Source: Political Studies Review

DOI: 10.1177/14789299251395517

Authors: André Bächtiger, John S Dryzek

Institutions: University of Stuttgart, University of Canberra

Language: English

Topic: Political Theory and Democracy

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650