This document has in-depth summaries of all the readings of POD. Each reading has a summary and list of the key points of the artciles/ literature. It really helped me with my exams but also the persusals!!!
Lecture 2.
Young, I. (1996). Communication and the other: Beyond deliberative democracy. In: S.
Benhabib (ed.). Democracy and Difference: Contesting the Boundaries of the Political.
Princeton University Press. pp: 120-135.
SUMMARY
"Communication and the Other: Beyond Deliberative Democracy" by Iris Marion Young is a
chapter within the book "Democracy and Difference: Contesting the Boundaries of the
Political," edited by Seyla Benhabib.
In this chapter, Young critiques the concept of deliberative democracy, which emphasizes
rational discourse among equal participants as the basis for democratic decision-making.
Young argues that this model overlooks the perspectives and experiences of marginalized
groups, such as women, racial minorities, and the economically disadvantaged, who may not
have equal access to public discourse or whose voices may be marginalized within it.
Young introduces the idea of "communication with the Other" as an alternative to deliberative
democracy. She contends that true democracy requires acknowledging and engaging with the
diverse perspectives and experiences of all members of society, including those who are
traditionally marginalized or excluded. This involves listening to and learning from the
experiences of others, rather than simply engaging in rational debate.
Furthermore, Young emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing power
imbalances in communication processes. She argues that unequal power relations can distort
communication and perpetuate marginalization, and calls for efforts to create more inclusive
and equitable communicative spaces.
Overall, Young's chapter challenges the limitations of deliberative democracy and advocates
for a more inclusive and transformative approach to democratic communication that
acknowledges and values the voices of all members of society.
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KEY POINTS
- Critique of Deliberative Democracy: Young critiques the concept of deliberative
democracy, which emphasizes rational discourse among equal participants as the basis
for democratic decision-making. She argues that this model overlooks the
perspectives and experiences of marginalized groups.
- Communication with the Other: Young introduces the idea of "communication with
the Other" as an alternative to deliberative democracy. This involves acknowledging
and engaging with the diverse perspectives and experiences of all members of society,
including marginalized groups.
- Importance of Listening: Young emphasizes the importance of listening to and
learning from the experiences of others, rather than simply engaging in rational
debate. She argues that true democracy requires actively engaging with the voices of
those who are traditionally marginalized or excluded.
- Addressing Power Imbalances: Young highlights the role of power imbalances in
communication processes and argues that unequal power relations can distort
communication and perpetuate marginalization. She calls for efforts to create more
inclusive and equitable communicative spaces.
- Transformative Approach to Democracy: Overall, Young advocates for a more
inclusive and transformative approach to democratic communication that
acknowledges and values the voices of all members of society, particularly those who
are marginalized or excluded.
These key points reflect Young's argument for moving beyond deliberative democracy
towards a more inclusive and equitable model of democratic communication.
Bennet, L. & Livingston, S. (2020). A Brief History of the Disinformation Age: Information
Wars and the Decline of Institutional Authority. In: Bennet, L. & Livingston, S. (ed.). The
Disinformation Age: Politics, Technology, and Disruptive Communication in the United
States. 1st edition. Cambridge University Press.
SUMMARY
, 3
"A Brief History of the Disinformation Age: Information Wars and the Decline of
Institutional Authority" by Lance Bennett and Steven Livingston provides an overview of the
emergence and evolution of disinformation in the contemporary era. The article is part of the
book "The Disinformation Age: Politics, Technology, and Disruptive Communication in the
United States," edited by Bennett and Livingston.
The authors trace the roots of disinformation back to the late 20th century, highlighting key
events and developments that have contributed to its proliferation. They explore how
advancements in technology, particularly the internet and social media, have facilitated the
spread of false information and disinformation campaigns.
Bennett and Livingston also discuss the role of political actors, interest groups, and foreign
governments in leveraging disinformation for strategic purposes, such as influencing public
opinion, undermining trust in institutions, and sowing discord within societies.
Moreover, the article examines the decline of institutional authority in the face of
disinformation, as traditional gatekeepers of information, such as media organizations and
government agencies, have struggled to adapt to the changing media landscape and combat
the spread of false information.
Overall, Bennett and Livingston offer insights into the complex interplay between politics,
technology, and communication in the age of disinformation, shedding light on the challenges
posed by this phenomenon and its implications for democracy and society.
KEY POINTS
- Emergence of Disinformation: The article provides an overview of the emergence and
evolution of disinformation in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
- Role of Technology: Bennett and Livingston highlight the role of advancements in
technology, particularly the internet and social media, in facilitating the spread of
false information and disinformation campaigns.
- Political Actors and Interest Groups: The authors discuss how political actors, interest
groups, and foreign governments have leveraged disinformation for strategic
purposes, such as influencing public opinion and undermining trust in institutions.
, 4
- Decline of Institutional Authority: The article explores the decline of institutional
authority, as traditional gatekeepers of information struggle to adapt to the changing
media landscape and combat the spread of false information.
- Implications for Democracy: Bennett and Livingston examine the implications of
disinformation for democracy and society, including its potential to erode trust in
institutions, sow discord, and undermine democratic processes.
Lecture 3.
Habermas, J. (2006). "Religion in the public sphere.”, European Journal of Philosophy,
14(1): 1-25.
SUMMARY
"Religion in the Public Sphere" by Jürgen Habermas, published in the European Journal of
Philosophy in 2006, explores the role of religion in contemporary democratic societies.
Here's a summary:
In this article, Habermas examines the place of religion in public life, particularly within the
context of secular democracies. He argues that while modern societies have largely moved
towards secularism, religion continues to play a significant role in shaping public debate and
influencing political discourse.
Habermas distinguishes between two types of public spheres: the institutional public sphere,
which encompasses formal political institutions and structures, and the informal public
sphere, which includes civil society and various social networks where public opinion is
formed and debated.
He contends that in secular democracies, religious citizens have a right to express their views
and participate in public debate alongside their secular counterparts. However, Habermas
emphasizes the importance of maintaining a distinction between religious and secular
reasoning within the public sphere to ensure the legitimacy and inclusivity of democratic
discourse.
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