The Law of Deliberative Democracy: Theory and Reform (2013-2015)
Abstract
Law underpins and helps channel political practice. Deliberative democracy can enhance the quality of political process and through it policy outcomes. Yet the law of politics and deliberative theory are yet to intersect. The project will concretise understanding of deliberative democracy and assess the deliberative value or deficit of the law governing the key areas of political choice: elections, parties, referendums and parliament. Reforms enhancing the deliberative quality of the law of politics will then be generated and assessed. Besides advancing our understanding and potential practice of democracy, the project will advance both theoretical understanding of the law, and the applied dimension of deliberative theory.