1. Maria Butyaeva,
Lev Derjabin,
Kris Haamer
“Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?

2. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
What is this Public Sphere?
• An idealized model of democratic debate
• People come together in various forms
and discuss issues of common concern

3. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Ideal Public Sphere
• Three premises are neccessary for the
functioning of an ideal public sphere
1. Easy access
2. Rational debate
3. Disregard of rank

4. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
• Discussion in a public sphere inherently
prevents central state control

5. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Jürgen Habermas, a visionary

6. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Dr.Dr. Axel Bruns, professor, blogger
Axel Bruns, professor, blogger

7. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
18th century, local discussion in a coffee shop

8. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
21st century, local discussion in a coffee shop

9. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
21st century, mobile discussion on Facebook

10. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
21st century, global discussion on Facebook

11. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
• In May 2008, Facebook has more than a
100 million users

12. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Towards the Internet Sphere
• Habermas: in postmodern societies, the
public sphere will be fragmented
• Bruns: although the spheres may be
multiple, and come in various sizes,
they are connected

13. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
21st century, content created trough public
discussion on Wikipedia

14. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
21st century, content highlighted trough
public voting on digg

15. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Bourgeois Public Sphere
1. Centered around coffeehouses, literary
salons, and the print media
2. Ideals of equality, human rights, and
justice
3. Ideally, strength of one's argument is
more important than one's identity
but preconceptions get in the way

16. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Internet Public Sphere
1. Centered around news, social networks,
blogs, forums, wikis, etc.
2. Equality, human rights, and justice –
held in high practical regard
3. Strength of one's argument is often more
important than one's identity
Dr. Axel Bruns, professor, blogger

17. “Public Sphere”
How is Democracy Done?
Key Conclusions
1. Discussion in public spheres prevents
central state control
2. Public discussion brings about free
democratic societies
3. The Internet stimulates conversaton over
issues of common concern

18. Thank You!