Prethodno priopćenje
https://doi.org/10.21857/y54jof5dgm
COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY: A CASE STUDY OF THE VARAŽDIN CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY
Vesna Haluga
orcid.org/0000-0003-1524-5169
Sažetak
Contemporary democracies face a significant crisis of trust in institutions, political
representation, and decision-making processes. In response, deliberative
innovations have developed, with citizens’ assemblies standing out as a form of
participation that allows randomly selected citizens to influence public policy directly
through informed and structured dialogue. This paper examines the communicative
aspect of citizens’ assemblies through a case study of the pilot project
conducted in Varaždin in 2024/2025. The methodological approach uses a qualitative
case study, combining document analysis, discourse, and rhetorical analysis
of deliberations, and media coverage of the project. The findings indicate that
internal communication within the assembly was facilitative, inclusive, and debate-
based, fostering a stronger sense of political relevance among participants.
External communication, though transparent, was mainly represented in the media
as affirmative and informational, without critical reflection or the inclusion of
diverse viewpoints. This underscores the media’s role in legitimizing the process
but also reveals their limited capacity to promote a deliberative public sphere.
In conclusion, the Varaždin case demonstrates that deliberative models can help
strengthen local democracy and enhance trust in institutions; however, their longterm
success depends on clear political backing, institutional integration, and strategic
communication that supports pluralism and sustained visibility.
Ključne riječi
communication; deliberative democracy; citizens’ assembly; Varaždin.
Hrčak ID:
342702
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.12.2025.
Posjeta: 444 *