Free and Fair Deliberation as the Cornerstone of Democracy: A Critical Examination of Legitimacy, Representation, and Accountability Abstract The idea that free and fair deliberation constitutes the foundation of a functioning democracy has become central in both normative democratic theory and institutional design. Rooted in the deliberative democratic tradition, this argument asserts that democracy is … Continue reading Critically examine the argument that free and fair deliberation forms the cornerstone of a functioning democracy, highlighting its role in ensuring legitimacy, representation, and accountability.