Appreciative and contestatory inquiry in deliberative forums

Can group hugs be dangerous

Bibliographic Data

ID12985231
AuthorsNicole Curato (0000-0002-0269-0186, Australian National University, corresponding author), Shirley Niemeyer (0000-0003-3048-5697, Australian National University), John S Dryzek (0000-0001-6358-0047, Australian National University)
Year2013
Volume7
Issue1
Pages1-17
Publication date2013-02-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCritical Policy Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1946-0171 • E-ISSN: 1946-018X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/19460171.2012.758595
OpenAlexW1995455280
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited17

The project of deliberative democracy is increasingly pursued through designed mini-publics. But exactly how they are designed proves crucial in determining whether or not mini-publics can deliver on their promise. This article explores the role of appreciative inquiry – a version of deliberative design that is gaining ground. In this approach, participants are primed to develop an ‘appreciative gaze’ by focusing the discussion on what already works well in the system and imagining possibilities for building on these strengths. It is distinguished from contestatatory approaches in that argumentative, blame-seeking and deficit-oriented forms of discourse are considered counter-productive to the process. We argue against a one-sided emphasis on appreciative inquiry, which must be balanced with more contestatory forms. Focusing on appreciative approaches to deliberation at the expense of contestation obstructs the ability of a group to deliberate properly and secure crucial deliberative outcomes. Our analysis is grounded in the case of the first Australia's Citizens’ Parliament

Appreciative Inquiry · Argumentative · Blame · Deliberation · Deliberative democracy · Democracy · Epistemology · Parliament · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Appreciative Inquiry and Organizational Change · Education and Critical Thinking Development · Law · Psychology · Rhetoric and Communication Studies · Social Psychology

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