Researchers from various research fields will work together to design implementable forms of deliberative mini-publics and to examine citizens’, politicians’ and public officials’ process preferences regarding citizen engagement. The Work Package is divided into two phases: Identifying challenges and developing existing models and Studying the alternative designs of mini-publics.
Identifying challenges and developing existing models
Based on analysis of existing institutionalized models, evidence on underrepresented groups, and process preferences from WP2, we will design institutionalized forms of deliberative mini-publics to complement the representative system. Based on previous research and experiments, the main challenges that need to be addressed are the inclusion of marginalized groups, the commitment of politicians, the costs of organizing mini-publics and scaling up their effects.
Studying the alternative designs of mini-publics
We will conduct a series of survey experiments with citizens, politicians, and public officials to examine the effects of alternative designs. We will further investigate citizens’ and politicians’ process preferences regarding institutionalized models of mini-publics, in particular their view on the involvement of politicians, scaling up techniques and impacts of mini-publics on decision-making. These analyses are essential for assessing the feasibility of various mini-public designs. The designs will be presented through vignettes describing mini-publics in areas related to comprehensive security. Researchers with expertise in survey experiments will be part of the team, and preferred designs will be piloted in WP5.
