Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework for democratize inclusively through participatory and deliberative apparatus. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on literature from inclusion in deliberation, gender in participation and intersectionality to critically analyze the democratic deepening. By bringing into dialogue with one another “the norm of parity of participation” (Fraser, 2006), “communicative democracy” (Young, 1993) and the “matrix of domination” (Collins, 1990) a response to one of the questions that has been put to European and North American thought in democracy since the 1960s is proposed: how is it possible to democratize inclusively? Findings The reproduction of domination through apparatuses for the extension of democracy is both possible and probable. So, to democratize inclusively, it is necessary to bring the theories on vertical and horizontal inclusion into dialogue with each other. With the aim of establishing a dialogue between the two, it is necessary to export complex thought regarding oppression and inequality into the design of deliberative and participatory apparatuses. For that, consider that designing democratization processes based on the fact that the intersectional experience of oppression is not an exception but rather an everyday occurrence allows participatory procedures to be made more inclusive. Practical implications This paper proposes a tool designed with a focus on dialogue among the norm of parity of participation, communicative democracy and the matrix of oppression, based on 11 direct questions for the inclusive design of deliberative or participatory procedures. Facilitators, experts and social agents involved in deliberative or participatory processes will be able to use this question-based instrument in their work. Originality/value This paper has applied value because it offers a conceptual key to the design of and thought about participatory inclusive processes. The originality of this approach lies in its shift away from partial analyses of horizontal and vertical inclusion. It is of use both to facilitators of participatory processes and educators and researchers concerned with democratization. It offers an instrument for working on reflexivity with regard to inclusion in democratic extension, based on a series of key questions that can be used as a checklist. In comparison with other forms of considering inclusion in democracy, the proposal considered includes complex thought on oppression based on the critique of simple identity, as well as on an intersectional perspective.
Highlights
No standard definition of intersectionality exists, yet most people would associate one or more of the following principles with intersectionality: (1) racism, sexism, class exploitation and similar systems of oppression are interconnected and mutually construct one another; (2) configurations of social inequalities take form within intersecting oppressions; (3) perceptions of social problems as well reflect how social actors are situated within the power relations of particular historical and social contexts; and (4) because individuals and groups are differently located within intersecting oppressions, they have distinctive standpoints on social phenomena (Collins and Bilge 2016, 25-30)
Revisionist narratives of intersectionality aim to erase the ideas and actions of Black women, Latinas, poor people, LGBTQ people and subordinated groups from intersectionality’s legitimate narrative, arguing that the visibility of these groups within intersectionality erodes its universal appeal. This re-writing of history, one Vivian May skillfully analyzes as “intersectionality backlash,” both relies on overt resistance to intersectionality, as well as more subtle and indirect ways of undermining it (May 2015, 6-12)
Drawn from intersectional inquiry, Part I, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Hypervisible Power and Invisible Politics,” outlines three focal points of a power analytic: (1) how analyses of intersecting, structural oppressions underpin systems of domination; (2) how a domains-of-power framework provides a set of conceptual tools for analyzing and responding to intersecting power relations; and (3) how a more robust analysis of the collective illuminates the political action of subordinated groups
Summary
No standard definition of intersectionality exists, yet most people would associate one or more of the following principles with intersectionality: (1) racism, sexism, class exploitation and similar systems of oppression are interconnected and mutually construct one another; (2) configurations of social inequalities take form within intersecting oppressions; (3) perceptions of social problems as well reflect how social actors are situated within the power relations of particular historical and social contexts; and (4) because individuals and groups are differently located within intersecting oppressions, they have distinctive standpoints on social phenomena (Collins and Bilge 2016, 25-30). Revisionist narratives of intersectionality aim to erase the ideas and actions of Black women, Latinas, poor people, LGBTQ people and subordinated groups from intersectionality’s legitimate narrative, arguing that the visibility of these groups within intersectionality erodes its universal appeal This re-writing of history, one Vivian May skillfully analyzes as “intersectionality backlash,” both relies on overt resistance to intersectionality, as well as more subtle and indirect ways of undermining it (May 2015, 6-12). Participatory democracy confronts new challenges associated with neoliberalism, how its historic association with the social justice movements of subordinated populations confronts pressures to recast itself as a technical project of the state. Part III, “The Difference That Power Makes: Implications for Intersectionality and Participatory Democracy,” discusses implications of intersectionality’s power analytic for projects for intersectionality and participatory democracy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
