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perspectives and re-evaluating
personal views in light of themmay encourage the development of a critical
attitude towards received wisdom and entrenched practices that is absent
in a passive state
Third, listening to and analysing others
'
citizen relationship. Unpalatable as it may be for politi-
cians, a citizenry that asks how particular states of affairs have come to pass
and whether it is desirable that they should continue would be more
conducive to an ecological transition than one which suffers in silence
until an opportunity to vote arises. Dryzek argues that the creation of
competences that would enable citizens themselves to recognise and
oppose ideologies and structural forces that perpetuate distorted views of
the political world would be a positive consequence of deliberative democ-
racy, even if it does not lead to consensus over appropriate courses of
action.
44
Baber and Bartlett also suggest that the most important contri-
bution of deliberation to the social evolution that would be required if a
collective ecological consciousness is to arise may be that it enhances
-
'
the
.
45
critical capacities of the citizens themselves
'
The empirical evidence of deliberation
'
s long-term impacts has been
described as being
'
no more than suggestive
'
, although Smith concludes
that
backing is beginning to emerge for the theoretical claims made for the
transformative and educative powers of democratic deliberation
'
.
46
However, a case can be made, based on the strong conclusions concerning
its merits in the theoretical literature, that the use of deliberation as a means
by which the active and willing participation of citizens in realising eco-
logical goals can be encouraged should be explored. As Baber and Bartlett
argue,
'
societies must take positive steps to encourage the give and take of
argument about controversial political issues
'
despite the absence of prece-
dent for this if they are serious about encouraging democratic citizens
'
'
to
.
47
value political liberty as more than a means of pursuing self-interest
'
6.2.4 Enhancing the acceptability of ecological governance
An argument made in support of public involvement with decision-
making in general is that this will tend to promote acceptance of deci-
sionsbecausetheyareperceivedtobemorelegitimatebythosewhohave
44
J. Dryzek, Deliberative Democracy and Beyond: Liberals, Critics, Contestations (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2000), p. 21.
45
Baber and Bartlett,
'
Deliberative Environmental Politics
'
,p.171.
46
Smith,
'
Liberal Democracy
'
,p.150.
47
Baber and Bartlett,
'
Deliberative Environmental Politics
'
,p.125.
