The role of deliberation in collective decision-making - on explanatory mechanisms and the epistemics of rational reason

What is the explanatory potential of deliberation in a political context of collective decisionmaking? This paper posits actors‟ ability to comply with the force of the better argument through explication of the relevant deliberative warrants and through mechanisms for the activation of institutional status functions. It establishes a conceptual scheme for analysing successful processes of deliberative decision-making, that is when actors despite divergent preferences manage to reach an agreement. Three sequences containing different sets of micro-mechanisms are identified: claims-making, justification and learning. Learning takes place when one or more actors realize mistake and change opinion. Learning is preceded by claims-making based on value consensus and appeal, and justification, revolving on corroborated factual statements and norms of fairness, which on their own can sway actors to concur. Decision-making is only deliberative when claims-making is succeeded justification and learning. Paper prepared for Yale-Oslo conference on Epistemic Democracy, October 2011.