To what extent can deliberative democracy sustain normative legitimacy without active citizen participation, and how does participatory democracy derive its democratic credibility in the absence of structured deliberation?

Deliberation, Participation, and the Normative Foundations of Democratic Legitimacy Deliberative democracy and participatory democracy represent two influential paradigms within contemporary democratic theory, each proposing distinct normative justifications and procedural mechanisms to enhance democratic legitimacy. While deliberative democracy emphasizes reasoned argument, inclusive dialogue, and public justification, participatory democracy stresses the centrality of direct engagement, mass mobilization, … Continue reading To what extent can deliberative democracy sustain normative legitimacy without active citizen participation, and how does participatory democracy derive its democratic credibility in the absence of structured deliberation?