From the local level to international politics, deliberation helps to increase mutual understanding and trust, in order to arrive at political decisions of high epistemic value and legitimacy. This book gives deliberation a dynamic dimension, analysing how levels of deliberation rise and fall in group discussions, and introducing the concept of 'deliberative transformative moments' and how they can be applied to deeply divided societies, where deliberation is most needed but also most difficult to work. Discussions between ex-guerrillas and ex-paramilitaries in Colombia, Serbs and Bosnjaks in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and police officers and locals in Brazilian favelas are used as case studies, with participants addressing how peace can be attained in their countries. Allowing access to the records and transcripts of the discussions opens an opportunity for practitioners of conflict resolution to apply this research to their work in trouble spots of the world, creating a link between the theory and practice of deliberation.

Deliberative Transformative Moments (DTM) is a new concept that serves as an amendment to the DQI. With this new concept it is easier to get at the quick give-and-take of discussions of small groups of ordinary citizens. As an illustration, we apply the concept to discussions about the peace process among Colombian ex-combatants, ex-guerrillas and ex-paramilitaries. Specifically, we show how personal stories can transform a discussion from a low to a high level of deliberation and how they can have the opposite effect. To increase the level of deliberation in the general population, we recommend that good illustrations of DTM's should be part of the school programs from an early age on, so that children learn how to discuss with others who have different opinions and values.

"Culture and social cohesion" is not (yet) an important policy or media issue in Spain. This article analyzes the reasons for this, emphasizing the importance of the full sociohistorical context (such as the late development of the "wel-fare" state, the importance of families in producing cohesion, and the territorial aspects of cultural diversity). New social developments, including the rise of economic globalization, the growth of individualism, and the increase of immigrants from poor countries, all converge around the question of "culture and social cohesion." A broader vision is needed of the possible actors, activities, and systems to help manage these issues, together with a greater emphasis on the role of local partnerships in the production of social capital and in building a more active general cultural participation. Résumé: « Culture et cohésion sociale » ne sont pas (encore) des questions poli-tiques ou médiatiques importantes en Espagne. Cette étude analyse les raisons de cette situation, mettant l'accent sur l'importance du contexte socio-historique complet (tel que le développement tardif de l'État providence, l'importance des familles pour la cohésion, et les aspects territoriaux de la diversité culturelle). Des développements sociaux, y compris la montée de la mondialisation écono-mique, de l'individualisme, et de l'émigration de pays pauvres, convergent autour de la question de « culture et cohésion sociale ». Il devient nécessaire d'acquérir une vision plus large des acteurs, activités et systèmes pouvant aider à gérer ces questions. Il devient nécessaire aussi d'insister plus fort sur le rôle d'associations locales dans la production de capital social et sur une participation générale plus active dans la culture.

No abstract

No abstract