Diskursists

Diskursists are proponents of disciplined, inclusive public discourse intended to influence political and cultural decision-making through reasoned argument and deliberative processes. They stress that legitimacy arises when all affected voices have equal opportunity to be heard and when discussions follow defined rules that limit manipulation and rhetoric-bolstering tactics. Core commitments include transparency, evidence-based justification, and a willingness to revise positions in light of new arguments.

Origin and scope: The term Diskursist is used in contemporary scholarly and civic discourse to describe a form of practice rather than a unified movement. It draws on deliberative democracy, argumentation theory, and discourse analysis. There is no central council; practices vary by context, from academic seminars to community forums and online deliberation platforms.

Practices: Diskursists organize moderated dialogues, publish debated texts and minutes, and create archives that map argument structures. They employ formal criteria to assess the relevance and coherence of contributions, encourage lay participation, and use technology to widen access while preserving civil norms.

Critique and challenges: Critics argue that the emphasis on rational discourse can marginalize non-discursive forms of knowledge and may privilege those with greater rhetorical skill or resources. Others warn that extensive deliberation can slow action and dilute accountability. Proponents respond that structured discourse improves legitimacy and legitimacy improves policy uptake.

See also: Deliberative democracy, Discourse analysis, Argumentation theory.