Deliberative democracy is a form of democracy that emphasizes the role of rational and respectful dialogue and argumentation in decision-making processes. It is based on the idea that democratic decisions are more likely to be legitimate and just when they are reached through a process of open and inclusive discussion, in which all relevant perspectives are considered and alternative viewpoints are challenged and debated.
In a deliberative democracy, citizens have a strong role in shaping public policy and decision-making. They are expected to be informed and engaged in public discussions and to participate actively in the decision-making process. This can take various forms, such as participating in town hall meetings, participating in online forums or surveys, or engaging in more formalized processes such as citizen juries or deliberative polling.
The goal of deliberative democracy is to reach decisions that are not only democratically legitimate, but also reflect the considered judgment of citizens. This is in contrast to other forms of democracy, such as representative democracy, in which elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people, or direct democracy, in which decisions are made through referendums or initiatives.
There are several arguments in favor of deliberative democracy. First, it is thought to be more inclusive than other forms of democracy, as it allows for the participation of a wider range of voices and perspectives. This can help to ensure that the interests of all members of a community are considered, rather than just those of a select few.
Second, deliberative democracy is thought to promote better decision-making. By allowing for open and respectful dialogue and debate, it encourages citizens to consider different viewpoints and to test and revise their own positions. This can lead to more informed and well-reasoned decisions.
Finally, deliberative democracy is thought to foster a sense of civic engagement and ownership among citizens. By giving citizens a greater role in shaping public policy, it can increase their sense of ownership over the decisions that affect their lives and communities.
However, there are also challenges to deliberative democracy. One concern is that it may be difficult to achieve the level of participation and inclusivity that is necessary for it to function effectively. Another concern is that it may be inefficient, as the process of deliberation can be time-consuming and may slow down decision-making.
Overall, deliberative democracy represents an important alternative to other forms of democracy, and has the potential to promote more inclusive and reasoned decision-making. While it is not without its challenges, it offers a promising approach for ensuring that democratic decisions reflect the considered judgment of citizens.
A Summary and Analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘The Minister’s Black Veil’
Colors are very symbolic in all the works by Hawthorne, they carry additional meaning that is accessible only if one reads the text insightfully. He was quite adept at vividly describing scenes and circumstances and emotions—allowing the reader to experience the beauty and torment of life right along with the characters—and it was on full display in these stories. And New England Puritanism is very much at the heart of his work. This 1852 novel is set in a Utopian settlement, Blithedale, in New England, where a poet, a strong-headed woman in favour of equal rights, a young woman with extra-sensory powers, a philanthropist, and a middle-aged man with a secret all clash as they seek to determine what Blithedale should be. Published in 1850, it is set in the seventeenth century in a small New England town, where Hester Prynne is convicted of adultery. From THE SNOW-IMAGE AND OTHER TWICE-TOLD TALES : The snow-image : a childish miracle -- The great stone face -- Ethan Brand -- Sylph Etherege -- The Canterbury pilgrims -- The man of adamant -- The devil in manuscript -- John Inglefield's thanksgiving -- The wives of the dead -- Little Daffydowndilly -- My knisman, Major Molineux. From MOSSES FROM AN OLD MANSE: The birthmark -- A select party -- Young Goodman Brown -- Rappaccini's daughter -- Mrs.
The Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne
His marriage is boring and predictable; he's a bit of a sluggish sort who is sorely lacking in imagination. The fellow traveler meets the protagonist in the woods late at night when Brown is on his way. Molineux, a British army man living in Massachusetts when it was still a British colonial territory, has promised to find his relative some work, but the Major proves elusive when the young protagonist attempts to track him down. The narrator's goal is not just to report on this story, but to speculate why. He was likewise a bitter persecutor; as witness the Quakers, who have remembered him in their histories, and relate an incident of his hard severity towards a woman of their sect, which will last longer, it is to be feared, than any record of his better deeds, although these were many. If your only exposure to Hawthorne was a painful high school experience with "The Scarlet Letter," I do suggest reading some of the stories.
Hawthorne's Short Stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne: 9780307741219
So deep a stain, indeed, that his dry old bones, in the Charter Street burial-ground, must still retain it, if they have not crumbled utterly to dust! There is also a sense of inevitability running through the story, as if Wakefield can't help but follow this bizarre path. He shows how both caused distress in the average person's life, especially in "The Gentle Boy," which depicts the conflict in a certain village between the Quakers and the Puritans. In no way do I wish to disparage the novels- they were ultimately very good- but the short stories truly showed the full range of Hawthorne's abilities and imagination. The Ambitious Guest by Nathaniel Hawthorne Point of View The short story ''The Ambitious Guest'' by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is an expression of how we must choose our motivations wisely, or risk becoming discontent with the precious life we have. In the first paragraph of the story, Hawthorne tells us, In those days when the comparatively recent discovery of electricity and other kindred mysteries of Nature seemed to open paths into the region of miracle, it was not unusual for the love of science to rival the love of woman in its depth and absorbing energy. His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. If you are not having fun while reading Hawthorne you are doing it wrong! He keeps an eye on his house and wife, but they seem of ''another world.
