Deliberative Democracy and Divided Societies

This is the first book to discuss deliberative democracy in relation to divided societies. This book argues that deliberative democracy can play a crucial role in building a stronger sense of common national identity among members of a divided society.

More specifically, it argues that deliberative democracy provides principles and standards that, appropriately institutionalised, can aid the creation of ’shareable goods’ that enable members to see their place in the democratic polity as equally valued. While deliberative democracy has received considerable attention in recent years, this is the first book to explore its implications for politics in divided societies. Written in a wholly accessible style, it illustrates its theoretical claims with a broad range of contemporary examples from across the globe, including Belgium, Bosnia, Canada, Lebanon, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, and Fiji. This book should have considerable appeal not just for those interested in exploring the practical implications of the theory of deliberative democracy, but also for those interested in finding new and innovative ways of addressing problems of deep division.

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