By Dimitris Eleftheriadis, George Apostolos Rampotas | Students of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Economic and Social Studies, Department of Journalism and Mass Communications
This publication is the product of the Retreat on Deliberative Democracy, a collaboration between the Center for Information, Democracy and Citizenship, AUBG and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the support of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Thessaloniki Office – Greece.
ABSTRACT
In 2024, almost half of the global population will participate in national elections, yet record turnout has not cured the distrust in democracy. Citizens perceive a disconnection from their leaders, which fosters skepticism towards political systems. Deliberative democracy presents a remedy by advocating for open, evidence-driven decision-making through methods such as citizen assemblies. A program at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) introduced participants to the principles of deliberative democracy. Citizen assemblies, made up of randomly chosen individuals, promote a range of viewpoints, respectful dialogue, and consensus-building on matters like climate change and social issues. Facilitators are essential for ensuring balanced participation and guiding conversations. In divided societies like Greece and Bulgaria, citizen assemblies can tackle urgent issues such as migration and urban planning. By promoting mutual understanding and restoring trust, they are vital instruments for democratic renewal and substantial societal advancement.
INTRODUCTION
The Democratic Crisis, the Year of Elections and a Program in Blagoevgrad
“The Year of Elections” or perhaps more fittingly, “The Year of the Ballot.”, 2024 will be marked as the year that nearly half of the global population —4.2 billion people—live in countries where national elections are being held. Paradoxically, a record number of votes in the history of organized human societies does not translate into more or better democracy. The literature of recent years is overflowing with titles depicting a political system in decline. Representative democracies are facing a series of serious challenges. Citizens feel increasingly more disconnected from their elected representatives, resulting in a broad distrust of public institutions, political parties and politicians (Dalton 2004, 2013). That’s why an educational weekend to the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) at Blagoevgrad about deliberative democracy and citizen assemblies gained the interest of two political nerds like us.
INSIGHTS
On Deliberative Democracy and Citizen Assemblies
Deliberative democracy marks a significant break from the status quo, in which political participation is sometimes confined to casting a vote every few years. It proposes democratic injections in the existing democratic system. The Oxford Handbook of Deliberative Democracy (2018) defines deliberative democracy as “an ideal in which people come together, on the basis of equal status and mutual respect, to discuss the political issues they face and, on the basis of those discussions, decide on the policies that will then affect their lives”.
With that said, deliberative democracy commits itself to including all voices and giving them equal importance. Observing this process on the program showed how different viewpoints can shed light on complicated problems (Separation of State and Church, LGBTQI+ rights) and create a connection in places where there was once a separation. It was evident that true belonging involves more than just having a presence in discussions but actively seeking out and including voices of marginalized groups. Rather than relying on “normal” debates, citizens assemblies promote team problem-solving and respectful dialogue.
Citizen assemblies, a key component of deliberative democracy, demonstrate this vision in action and cannot be undermined, though it is defined as a generic term for all participatory institutions which brings together a group of lay citizens who deliberate together on a public issue to exert a public influence (Min Reuchamps, Julien Vrydagh, Yanina Welp, 2023). The program emphasized that decision-making is not only about expressing personal opinions but also about carefully providing evidence, understanding social issues, and observing the broader impact of other’s opinions on important topics. The advisory committee in the role of facilitators are essential in ensuring balanced participation, encouraging quieter voices to contribute, and managing potential conflicts. These randomly selected groups of ordinary citizens bring together varied perspectives to discuss urgent topics including climate change, election reform, and urban planning. Assemblies, which are not linked to party politics and electoral demands, provide an environment for informed, collaborative problem resolution.
CHALLENGES AND PERSONAL GROWTH DURING THE AUBG PROGRAM
This course brought together teens from different backgrounds, both Greeks and Bulgarians, all united by our shared interest to help our “ached” democracy, heal the way it needs to. During the deliberative democracy training, we were divided into groups of six and tasked with selecting a topic we deemed worthy of being the central theme for a hypothetical citizen assembly. The challenge extended beyond merely choosing an issue: we had to present our topic to the other groups, defend its relevance, and substantiate our arguments with evidence and data gathered during a brief research session. The most significant hurdle lay in balancing belonging—ensuring every voice in our group was heard—with the practical constraints of completing our objectives within the allotted time. Together, we explored the principles of deliberative democracy and advocacy theory, delving into their complexities and navigating the inevitable debates surrounding their application. Our collaboration culminated in rehearsing a mock citizen assembly and engaging in an advocacy “battle,” allowing us to experience both the roles of organizers and participants. Ultimately, we concluded that while citizen assemblies are a powerful tool for democratic engagement, their success hinges on adept organization and the use of consensus-building techniques to achieve widely accepted outcomes.
CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLIES
A Case Study of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly
A potential transformative method for addressing the wicked problem of democracy. In the case of Ireland, there are four stages to what is called a citizen assembly: learning, consultation, deliberation and decision-making. Based on the model of the British Columbia citizens’ assembly (BCCA), the ICA used random sampling as its method of choosing members. In the learning and consultation phase the assembly members are given relevant information to help them understand the issue at hand (Pateman, 2012). This information is compiled by the organization responsible for the CA, in relation with researchers, expert practitioners and other relevant stakeholders. This information is then handed out to the members of the CA before their first meeting. The learning phase should also include presentations from relevant expert stakeholders, with the purpose of creating a nuanced background picture of the issue at hand. After the learning phase, ideally in the deliberation phase, the CA members should have time for questions to the presenter. Their role is to create a secure and open atmosphere so that all participants feel comfortable speaking their opinion. They should also help to navigate the deliberations so that all participants get an equal amount of time to express their thoughts and opinions. The facilitators should not express their own point of view, they are there solely for the purpose of guiding the conversations. Thus, we should expect opinions to change both because the participants become more enlightened and because they are forced to become more open-minded regarding others’ views (Barabas, 2004: 687; Himmelroos et al., 2012).
Impact on Democracy based on CAs
Based on the case study, deliberation through citizen assemblies typically exposes citizens to a range of viewpoints. This can lead participants to change their opinion on political issues and a greater desire to express these opinions electorally (Fishkin et al., 2024). Similar reasoning leads to the prediction of a positive impact of deliberation on political efficacy. Taking part in deliberative mini-citizen assemblies can boost internal efficacy by developing citizens’ confidence in their ability to participate effectively, whether through acquiring deliberative skills. Participation in citizens’ assemblies has a substantial positive impact on various aspects of democratic engagement. Specifically, participation significantly increases political trust and efficacy, raises political engagement, and can potentially make citizens less receptive to conspiracy theories.
CONCLUSIONS
Citizen assemblies and deliberative democracy are indispensable for the democratic renewal of Greece and Bulgaria, particularly in cities like Thessaloniki and Blagoevgrad, which grapple with unique yet interconnected challenges. From addressing the polarization surrounding migration and LGBTQI+ rights to tackling environmental concerns and urban planning, these mechanisms provide a forum for constructive, open dialogue. By encouraging varied voices and fostering mutual understanding, citizen assemblies can rebuild trust in institutions, promote consensus, and empower communities. Their potential to transcend entrenched divisions makes them vital tools for progress in these dynamic yet polarized societies. As students who participated in this program, we are excited to apply these deliberative practices in our own communities, helping our ailing democracies heal from the ground up.
AUTHORS’ BIOGRAPHIES
Dimitris Eleftheriadis
I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication, while I’m running a social enterprise named “Thinking Abyss” where a 20+ member team creates multimedia content for Gen Z on a variety of subjects. I’ve experimented on writing articles, interviewing, investigating, producing shows and podcasts and editing video and text. In February of 2024 I had the honor to lead the team into publishing the first issue of our printed magazine in the city of Thessaloniki, as we prepare for our third one this September.
On December of 2023 I was also honored to be part of a CSIS published work on the Gaza Conflict, only two months after the October 7th attack, travelling for one week in the extremely polarized public sphere of the US. From February to July 2024 I completed an academic journey in the University of Padova as an erasmus student.
Currently, I’m invested in the art of non-fiction storytelling and investigative methods working on a documentary discussing journalism ethics in Greece. Meanwhile I’m also covering European Affairs’ issues with multimedia content on the platform’s SoMe, being part of the Greek Journalists Delegation to the European Parliament’s Plenary in September 2024.
George Apostolos Rampotas
LIST OF REFERENCES
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Dalton, R. J. (2013). Citizen Politics: Public Opinion and Political Parties in Advanced Industrial Democracies. Washington D.C.: Cq Press.
Fishkin, J. S., Bolotnyy, V., Lerner, J., Siu, A., & Bradburn, N. (2024). Can deliberation have lasting effects? American Political Science Review, 1–21.
Forsberg, T. (2020). Citizens’ Assemblies: a potential transformative method for addressing the wicked problem of climate change : A case study of the 2016 Irish Citizens’ Assembly.DIVA. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1455021&dswid=8008
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The Oxford Handbook of Deliberative Democracy. (2018) Google Books. https://books.google.gr/books?hl=el&lr=&id=jh1rDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=deliberative+democracy&ots=yMECOkF9if&sig=eSpWIbZQYxSpE7fHswOireF6WIU&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=deliberative%20democracy&f=false
Vrydagh, J. (2023). 1 Citizens’ assemblies: An introduction. De Gruyter Handbook of Citizens’ Assemblies, 1.
