Identifying the Problem: A Global Democratic Challenge
Modern democracies are being challenged and citizens are less and less satisfied with political leadership everywhere around the globe, whether in countries with a long term democratic history or those where basic representative democratic elements have been present for less than a decade.
We could say that humanity—as we are talking about a large portion of the world’s population living in, more or less, democratic systems—is facing a serious political problem which, in turn, has generated the spread of a diverse effort around the globe to experiment with and find solutions involving direct democracy, technology, institutional engineering, social movements and participatory processes. One track of this globally spreading effort corresponds to our field: deliberative democracy.
The Disparity Between the
Global North and South
Deliberative democracy initiatives, particularly deliberative mini-publics, have seen more promotion, documentation, and study in the Global North, specifically Europe and North America, than in the Global South.
This disparity is notable despite the Global South’s rich history of democratic experimentation, including other notions of representation by sortition[1]. Mini-publics, or ‘mini-populus’[2], such as Citizen Juries, Planning Cells, and Citizens’ Assemblies, were pioneered in the 1960s in the Global North, leading to a proliferation of such initiatives in these regions (Escobar, 2017). However, the Global South has been slower to adopt and document these processes, leading to an imbalance in global deliberative practices.
Redefining the Role of the Global South
Despite the historical focus on the Global North, the rise of mini-publics and interest in deliberative democracy in the Global South presents an opportunity to redefine its role from a mere “receiver” of ideas to an active “collaborator” and “protagonist” in the global democratic challenge. The unique colonial histories, contexts, and constraints of nations in the Global South necessitate a departure from merely adapting to standards and models developed in dissimilar contexts. Instead, there’s a critical need for a platform for mutual learning and exchange that respects and leverages the distinctiveness of each region.
Pathways for Collaboration and mutual learning
Addressing this imbalance requires a concerted effort to foster mutual learning between the Global North and South. We believe that several complementary paths can be taken to foster mutual learning between the Global South and Global North. This is why this living guidebook connects the emerging scholarly work and practical developments in the field, inspired by the traditions of decolonial theory, deliberative cultures, democratization studies, and South- North dialogues.
Our living guidebook approach promotes continuous exchange and learning and can serve as (one of the) effective platforms for this purpose. By connecting scholars and practitioners across regions, this approach encourages a collaborative exploration of deliberative democracy that transcends traditional geographical and conceptual boundaries. This involves not only decolonizing deliberative democracy (Curato, 2024) but also recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions of the Global South.
The Democracy R&D exemplifies this collaborative spirit, with its diverse membership spanning 32 countries across six continents. This network’s commitment to mutual learning and horizontal collaboration positions it as a pivotal force in advancing deliberative democracy globally. By emphasizing equal partnership and learning, the network aims to enhance the institutionalization and quality of deliberative processes, ensuring that democratic innovations benefit from the rich tapestry of global perspectives.
