Representation and deliberation: New perspectives on Communication among actors in science and technology innovation

Abstract

Since the 1980s, a large body of analysis in communication and political science has emphasized the importance of activating spaces for public discussion, not only on political issues but also on themes of strong public impact, such as the effects of techno-scientific innovations. Challenge for political transformation is crucial for the concurrent changeover from representation to deliberation in the realm of techno-scientific innovation. In the traditional decision-making processes of representative democracy, all the points of view and interests of civil society are not necessarily - indeed, almost never - represented and considered. This means that representation is always partial, and the arguments of those who will be affected by particular innovations are not part of the debate serving to orient decisions. By contrast, the deliberative model of democracy is founded upon public discussion and the exchange of arguments. Representative and deliberative democracy are strictly interdependent, and it is misleading to consider the two terms as being in opposition to each other. Rather, considering them as terms in the same equation is much more conducive to effective management of the relationship between techno-science and society. © 2008 Springer Netherlands.