Brigitte Geissel

Bringing together ten leading researchers in the field of deliberative democracy, this important book examines the features of a Deliberative Mini-Public (DMP) and considers how DMPs link into democratic systems. It examines the core design features of DMPs and their role in the broader policy process and takes stock of the characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of citizen participation. In doing so, the book offers valuable insights into the contributions that DMPs can make not only to the policy process, but also to the broader agenda of revitalising democracy in contemporary times.

This book offers a new approach for the future of democracy by advocating to give citizens the power to deliberate and to decide how to govern themselves.Innovatively building on and integrating components of representative, deliberative and participatory theories of democracy with empirical findings, the book provides practices and procedures that support communities of all sizes to develop their own visions of democracy. It revitalizes and reinfuses the ‘democratic spirit’ going back to the roots of democracy as an endeavor by, with and for the people, and should inspire us in our search for the democracy we want to live in.This book is of key interest to scholars and students in democracy, democratic innovations, deliberation, civic education and governance and further for policy-makers, civil society groups and activists. It encourages us to reshape democracy based on citizens’ perspectives, aspirations and preferences.

This book offers a new approach for the future of democracy by advocating to give citizens the power to deliberate and to decide how to govern themselves.Innovatively building on and integrating components of representative, deliberative and participatory theories of democracy with empirical findings, the book provides practices and procedures that support communities of all sizes to develop their own visions of democracy. It revitalizes and reinfuses the ‘democratic spirit’ going back to the roots of democracy as an endeavor by, with and for the people, and should inspire us in our search for the democracy we want to live in.This book is of key interest to scholars and students in democracy, democratic innovations, deliberation, civic education and governance and further for policy-makers, civil society groups and activists. It encourages us to reshape democracy based on citizens’ perspectives, aspirations and preferences.

Die Politisierung von Frauen ist nach wie vor weitgehend eine 'black box'. In dieser Studie wird untersucht, was Frauen zum Einstieg in Parteien und Parlamente bewegt und welche Voraussetzungen erfüllt sein müssen, damit sie partizipieren (können). Circa zwei Prozent der weiblichen Wahlberechtigten nennen ein Parteibuch ihr eigen. Wenige dieser Frauen werden parteipolitisch aktiv und nur vereinzelte kandidieren für (kommunale) Mandate. Entgegen der üblichen Suche nach den Gründen für die Unterrepräsentanz von Frauen ist in dieser Studie ihr Engagement in Parteien und Parlamenten von Interesse. Im Mittelpunkt stehen Politisierungsprozesse von Frauen auf kommunaler Ebene. Denn dort beginnen in der Regel politische Karrieren. Obwohl die Frage nach den Wegen von Frauen in die Politik demokratietheoretisch und frauenpolitisch zentral ist, gibt es kaum einschlägige empirische Studien. Die Politisierungsprozesse und Partizipationsverläufe von weiblichen Parteimitgliedern liegen noch vielfach im Dunkeln. Diese Forschungslücke schließt die vorliegende Studie. Sie verfolgt darüber hinaus das Ziel, praxisbezogene Reformvorschläge zur paritätischen Partizipation der Geschlechter zu entwickeln.