Politics & Government
How Deliberative Mini-Publics Shape Legislative Legitimacy
Quick fact
In a 2019 experiment, when a deliberative mini-public's recommendation was adopted by a legislature, public acceptance of the resulting law rose significantly—especially among those who had previously opposed it—compared to a law passed without such input.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a law that was shaped not by elected politicians alone, but by a small group of ordinary citizens who spent months learning, debating, and then giving their verdict. Could that make the law feel more legitimate, even if you weren't part of it?