Jurgen Habermas Discourse Ethics Analysis of Liquid Democracy in Digital Society Rika Febriani (a*), Supartiningsih (b), Sindung Tjahyadi (c)
a) Doctoral Student at Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Lecturer at Social and Political Science Department, Universitas Negeri Padang
*rikafebriani1485[at]mail.ugm.ac.id
b,c) Lecturer at Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Abstract
Democracy, as one of the most ancient decision-making practices, has evolved significantly, particularly with the advent of the digital era. A recent development in this evolution is liquid democracy, a practice that seeks to balance direct and indirect democratic principles by enabling voters to delegate and withdraw their votes at will. This approach differs from traditional electoral systems employed by political parties and states, promising heightened openness and inclusivity in political decision-making. However, the potential for manipulation through digital propaganda raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding the dilution of individual agency. This study employs a historical-factual analysis method, utilizing Jurgen Habermas perspective on ethical discourse to examine the ethical dilemmas arising from the implementation of liquid democracy in digital society. The analysis focuses on how Habermas concept of public reason can be integrated into the framework of liquid democracy to ensure ethical and transparent democratic processes.The analysis reveals that while liquid democracy offers opportunities for greater inclusivity and public participation, it also presents significant risks related to the manipulation of information through digital platforms. Habermas discourse ethics provides a robust procedural framework that can address these ethical challenges, ensuring that public reason prevails in the practice of liquid democracy. The findings suggest that incorporating ethical discourse into the practice of liquid democracy can mitigate the risks associated with digital propaganda and enhance the integrity of democratic processes in the digital age. The study highlights the importance of establishing procedural safeguards to maintain the balance between openness and the protection of individual agency in a liquid democratic system.
Keywords: common good- digital society- ethical discourse- liquid democracy- universal principle
