Citizens' panels as a form of deliberative technology assessment

Abstract

Processes of deliberative public participation have been met with high expectations, as well as scepticism. The mounting interest — more than 20 citizens' juries were held in less than two years in Great Britain alone — calls for a critical reflection of the various methods available. To this end, their common characteristics are illustrated and the individual processes are contrasted in this article. The citizen panels on climate-compatible energy supply at the Centre of Technology Assessment in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany are used to demonstrate that these processes deliver results which enrich public debate. New forms of public participation may be an interesting element of political culture in modern pluralistic societies. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.