埃尔斯特的协商民主观述评

Study on Elster's View of Deliberative Democracy

埃尔斯特认为与多数规则相联的多数主义民主隐含着一些弊病,而宪法在防范多数规则的滥用方面可以起屏障作用,这使宪法制订过程中的协商安排成为必要。为确保协商参与者具有广泛的代表性,并促进真实地辩论、有效地协商,他提出应采纳比例代表制,并从规模、公开性、暴力以及利益四个方面来综合考虑制宪过程。

Elster thinks that there are inherent weaknesses in majority democracy which is related to majority rule. Constitution can play the role of barrier to the abuse of majority rule. This makes it necessary for deliberation in constitution draft. In order to ensure the wide representation of participants in deliberation and promote real debate and efficient deliberation, Elster proposes to adopt proportional representation, and he believes that we should consider the constitution draft process from four aspects： size, publicity, violence and interest.