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Explores the political implications of Habermas's theory of discourse ethics through a resurrection of its radical potential when applied to participants in decision-making groups.
By focusing the various difficulties encountered in applying theory to practical concerns, this book explores the reasons for the absence of a radical politics in Habermas's work. In doing so, it shows that certain political implications of the theory remain unexplored. The book articulates a unique application of Habermasian theory, the actual functioning of decision-making groups, the nature of deliberative interaction, and the kinds of judgments participants must make if they are to preserve their democratic process.
"The author breaks new ground with this original and penetrating discussion of practical issues raised by theories of discourse ethics and discursive democracy. Blaug displays an impressive mastery of the secondary literature in English, and is admirably persistent in pursuing the issues raised." — William Outhwaite, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
"Ricardo Blaug has written an important study that forges a link between the abstract and normative conceptions of 'democracy' and a more concrete sense of political participation or what might be called 'strong citizenship.' Given that the latter is rather weak on the ground everywhere, and perhaps most of all where routine claims are made for it, I see Blaug's as a significant challenge.
"One of the most important themes in the book, in my view, concerns the idea of the 'democratic break-out.' Blaug frames the issue in a way that is both provocative and systematic: How to keep the democratic and participatory spirit alive once the newly-energized citizens have come down from the barricades and are faced with the day-to-day tasks of running a society. While Blaug's work is clearly coming out of the Habermasian universe, what distinguishes his work from much in this field is the fact that this energy and those barricades are indeed present." — Bill Martin, author of Politics in the impasse: Explorations in postsecular social theory
Introduction
Part 1 Theory and Practice
Chapter 1
The Theory of Discourse Ethics
Habermans on justification
Dilemmas upon application
Chapter 2
Theory with a Practical Intent
The relation of theory to practice
Aristotle's distinction between techn and phronsis
Practical intentions
Part 2 From the Ideal to the Real
Chapter 3
The Affirmative Uses of Theory
As an interpretative tool-Cultural criticism
As an empirical tool-Critical sociological research
As a test for legitimacy-Democratic political theory
Sum of affirmative uses of theory and attendant problems
Chapter 4
Methodological Problems and the Limits to Theory
The distinction between morality and ethics
Institutional design as a category mistake
Dryzek's attempt to overcome the limits
Formulating the limits to theory
Concerning judgment
Part 3 The Nature of Political Judgment
Chapter 5
Habermasian Difficulties with Judgment
Justification and application
Critiques of the Habermasian account of judgment
The reflective turn
Chapter 6
Discursive Phronsis with a Cognitivist Core
How do we evaluate fairness?
Judgments that preserve fairness
Part 4 Real Participation
Chapter 7
Changing the Object Domain of Application
Democracy from the theorist's perspective
Democracy from the participant's perspective
Chapter 8
Toward a Democratic Politics
Judgments regarding the redemption of trade-offs
More problems for participants
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index