Un balance de los giros empírico, sistémico y retórico de la teoría deliberativa

Abstract

In this paper the empirical turn in deliberative theory is reviewed. It is argued, first, that empirical research provides abundant evidence showing the potentialities of public deliberation. Furthermore,
it has greatly contributed to identifying the diverse elements that condition deliberative processes. Last but not least, empirical research has underscored the divergent conditions that contribute
positively to satisfying many of the normative expectations associated to deliberative democracy. This last point has injected fresh impetus to systemic and rhetorical perspectives in deliberative theory. In the second part of this paper, these two approaches are briefly discussed. Their main features and complementarities, as well as their shortcomings and thus future challenges, are shown.