Public support for deliberative citizens' assemblies selected through sortition

An evaluation of deliberative citizens’ assemblies across 15 Western European countries, examining whether these processes can re-engage politically dissatisfied citizens.

This study examines public support for deliberative citizens’ assemblies, particularly from citizens who are dissatisfied with representative politics, in 15 Western European countries. It finds that disengaged citizens who tended to feel less politically competent and hold anti-elite views, tend to be more supportive of deliberative democracy.

However, support is often dependent on the expectation of favorable policy outcomes driven partly by self-interest, rather than belief in the assembly itself—meaning that if assemblies do not produce favorable policies, non participating citizens may not accept the results. The study highlights that while these processes do have the potential to re-engage disenfranchised residents, supporters are not inherently motivated by the models of deliberative assemblies and the public may not be sufficiently aware of its benefits.

Author information: Jean-Benoit Pilet, Damien Bol, Davide Vittori, Emelien Paulis
Year of publication: 2022