Open Constitutional Democracy: Reconciling Deliberation and Constitutional Democracy

Lead-PI: Michael Pal, University of Ottawa

Consortium: Odile Ammann, University of Lausanne; David Vitale, University of Warwick

Funders: SNSF, SSHRC, UKRI

 

Summary:

In response to the phenomenon of democratic decline, widespread loss of political trust, and failures of governance globally, democratic reform and innovation are of paramount importance. This project aims to develop a revised version of Open Democracy that enhances citizen participation without sacrificing the institutions that are necessary for rights protection and effective governance. The project has three components: 1) developing a theory of “Open Constitutional Democracy” that enhances democratic participation and political trust but which specifies their relationship to foundational constitutional principles and institutions; 2) building an innovative model of governance that incorporates principles of Open Democracy; and 3) demonstrating the need for robust interpretation of the social right to education as necessary for democratic flourishing.