协商民主的限制简析

虽然协商民主号称是民主理论的“协商转向”。但是协商民主在理论和实践上都面临着诸多限制。协商民主强调以共同善为依据达成共识，但是共同善常常无法达到；协商民主强调以理性对话为主，但是参与者的理性能力是有限的，即使能够完全按照理性来进行协商，也未必能够保证公共利益最大化；协商民主主张由一般民众在公开、透明、平等的情况下进行讨论，但来自政治精英、经济优势阶级、专家学者、媒体的政治操弄始终无法避免。由于这些限制，协商民主无法替代代议民主，它的价值在于培养公民的共和精神和包容、参与、平等的政治文化。

Restrictions on Deliberative Democracy

While deliberative democracy is a so-called ＂deliberative turn＂ democratic theory, but it is faced with numerous limitions in theory and practice. Three limitations of deliberative democracy are pointed out. The first limitation is its excessive dependence on the common good as the foundation of decision-making. Secondly, deliberative democracy argues that it is based on rational discussion, but the rational capacity of participants is limited. Even if it is carried out fully in accordance with the rational consultation, it doesn＇t necessarily guarantee to maximize the public interest.Finally, deliberative democracy advocates that the public discuss their affairs in an open, transparent and equal circumstance. However, the political elites, interests groups, experts and scholars, the media have never been able to avoid political manipulation. As a result of these limitations, deliberative democracy can＇t replace representative democracy.The value of deliberative democracy lies in developing the spirit of republic and the culture of tolerance,participation,equality.