Διαβούλευση, συμμετοχή και έλεγχος στη δημοκρατία : υπάρχουν όρια στη δημοκρατική αμφισβήτηση;

Abstract

Deliberation offers to the opposition and the civil society organizations a significant opportunity of democratic control over the governments legislative proposals. The choice of the mode of participation to deliberation, namely through institutionalized or a-typical forms, is made in accordance to each participant’s particular features and broader strategy. Deliberation, however, presupposes commitment to some basic rules of dialogue, as those suggested from a republican perspective. For instance, critique and disobedience are legitimate choices for citizens yet, to the extent that they are expressed through reasonable arguments, non-violent means and alternative proposals. The above are being investigated with reference to the legislative proposals of the Greek government in the field of higher education (2004-2007). From the executives perspective, that case may negatively be perceived, if the political cost it brought up and the delay of legislative action is taken into account. However, from the perspective of a theory of democratic deliberation a more positive approach seems reasonable and in the meantime, tied with some proposals for tackling some of its shortcomings.