THE ROLE OF DELIBERATIVE MINI-PUBLICS IN REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF REFERENDUMS

Abstract

The article analyses and evaluates the use of deliberative mini-publics in the context of representative democracy. Based on an overview of the use of referendums and mini-publics, it is argued that the use of mini-publics has often been comparable with the use of ad hoc referendums. Some recommendations are made on how deliberative mini-publics should be used in representative democracies. In addition to the theory of deliberative democracy, the experience of the use of referendums helps to envision new, alternative ways of organising mini-publics.