Description
Book SynopsisThe theory of deliberative democracy promotes the creation of systems of governance in which citizens actively exchange ideas, engage in debate, and create laws that are responsive to their interests and aspirations. While deliberative processes are being adopted in an increasing number of cases, decision-making power remains mostly in the hands of traditional elites.
In Democratic Illusion, Genevieve Fuji Johnson examines four representative examples: participatory budgeting in the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Deliberative Polling by Nova Scotia Power Incorporated, a national consultation process by the Canadian Nuclear Waste Management Organization, and public consultations embedded in the development of official languages policies in Nunavut. In each case, measures that appeared to empower the public failed to challenge the status quo approach to either formulating or implementing policy.
Illuminating a critical gap between deliberative democratic t
Trade Review
‘In this volume Fuji Johnson deftly navigates the choppy waters between cynicism and criticism… The book is a valuable addition to both the literature on deliberative democracy and public policy and it should be read by any scholar concerned about the state of Canadian democracy.’ -- David Moscrop * Canadian Journal of Political Science vol 51:01:2018 *
Table of Contents
1. The Hope for and Illusion of Deliberative Democracy 2. Participatory Budgeting and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation 3. Deliberative Polling and Nova Scotia Power Incorporated 4. National Consultations and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization 5. Embedded Policy Consultations and Nunavut's Official Languages 6. Contextual Complexity and the Importance of Deliberative Democracy Epilogue. Interpretive Case-Study Research, Its Challenges and Rewards
