Ideal and Non-ideal Deliberation: The Problem of Equivocation

Emmanuel Ani

doi:10.25159/2663-6689/7588

Authors

Emmanuel Ani University of Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5526-1126

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6689/7588

Keywords:

Deliberation, Consensus, Political Philosophy, Deliberative Democracy, Consensus Democracy

Abstract

I distinguish between ideal and non-ideal deliberation. I outline the relevance of both ideal and non-ideal theorising to show their respective roles and importance. This helps me to demonstrate that neither of them should be downplayed, confused with the other, or substituted. Although it appears more attractive to be an idealist than a non-idealist in a theoretical debate on social systems, I show that such a perception is practically inadequate. I then argue that when we deliberate, we presuppose either ideal or non-ideal deliberation. I demonstrate that it is consistent to stick to one deliberative presupposition in the same context, and I show that shifting from one deliberative presupposition to another in the same argument or context, is equivocation. I demonstrate how this kind of equivocation confuses and derails the debate. As a case study, I focus on the debate about consensual democracy in Africa. I seek in this essay to contribute lessons regarding the relationship between ideal and non-ideal theorising to the global project of deliberative democracy.

Author Biography

Emmanuel Ani, University of Ghana

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ani is a Senior Lecturer and has taught Critical Thinking for several years at the University of Ghana, Accra. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan, a B. Phil in Philosophy from the Pontificia Università Urbaniana Roma (Urban Pontifical University, Rome), Italy, an MA and a PhD in Political Philosophy from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. He is the University of Ghana external assessor for affiliate institutions on Logic and Critical Thinking. He was the Chair of Long Essay, Library and Graduate Studies, Department of Philosophy and Classics, University of Ghana. He was a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Deliberative Democracy, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra (Australia Capital Territory) and Associate Editor (recently appointed) of the Journal of Public Deliberation. He has published in many high impact journals including the Philosophical Papers, Philosophia, Journal of Political Philosophy, South African Journal of Philosophy, African Studies Quarterly, and the Canadian Philosophical Review. He has also published in some presses including Wiley, Routledge, Springer, Sage, Palgrave Macmillan, Cambridge and Oxford University Presses. He is a contributor to the Oxford Handbook of Deliberative Democracy. He is the winner of the 2018 University of Ghana Humanities Provost Publication Award (Mid-Career Category).