Abstract

This article aims to understand the concept of deliberative democracy elaborated by Jürgen Habermas, as well as observe its potentialities and fault highlighted by democratic theory the philosopher Iris Young. Habermas proposes the model of deliberative democracy as an alternative to the liberal and republican models. For Habermas, liberals exceed themselves on normative bases with individualistic ethical purpose, disregarding social rights; while Republicans suppress individual freedoms due to a communitarian ideal. In this context, he proposes deliberation as a link between the constituted powers and the democratic formation of will, pointing out a way out for the liberal and communitarian extremes. Despite Habermas' advances, his theory has been the target of much criticism. Young, for example, sees the need for improvements in deliberative democracy, criticizing possible exclusionary cultural biases and errors in assumptions of a common element of understanding.