Critical View on Barber's Democracy

Introduction

This year, 2013, has been declared “European Year of Citizens” by the European Commission. To mark the 20th anniversary of the European Union, the aim is to create awareness of what being an EU citizen means, to emphasize the democratic engagements it confers and to convince the people that it is their task to participate in the daily decisions of the EU. The current form of democracy in the Western world remains to be of a liberal democratic character. This form of democracy, as Churchill once said, “Is the least bad form of governance (Churchill, 1947)”. However, uncertainty about liberal democracy has prevailed among philosophers and politicians over the past years as it emphasizes individual rights rather than a common will. According to Barber this representative, or “thin” democracy, is based on an individual rights perspective that undermines the role of citizens in democratic governance. In critical response to liberal theory, Barber has constructed a theory of participatory democracy, referred to as strong democracy. According to this theory, citizens should engage and participate in the decision-making process, largely by means of talking, to create a common will and common action. Only by participating actively in the law and rule-making process can the legitimacy of a true democratic process be enhanced. The purpose of this essay is to clarify the meaning of Barber’s participatory democracy and explain what Barber means by the educative effect of participatory democracy. Subsequently, a critical analysis will touch upon several fundamental flaws of Barber’s theory and determine whether his theory is a credible, comprehensive and valid framework of political theory.

Barber’s Strong Democracy and its educative aspect

As an alternative and a counter-product to liberal democracy, Barber creates a foundation for participatory democracy. Central to his rejection of liberal democracy is Barber’s view on representation and voting. According to...