Page 22 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6
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The literature review (Chapter II) begins with defining the ‘public sphere’ studying
Habermas’ (1989) perspective of the issues characterizing and impacting dialogue and human
interaction among individuals gathered for civic engagement. A further investigation of
Metasphere and supporting arguments are reviewed with the intent of understanding essential
group theory dynamics and how structural impediments to power have created deep divisions in
the social fabric of the country. The overall reading concentration and supporting literature reveals
the role of civic engagement, the importance of dialogue and deliberative democracy practices.
The potential pitfalls of CCs are explored and the means of minimizing them as well as
future research directions for WISR are also discussed. Along with essential elements for
consideration I look at how WISR can maximize the growing popularity of civic engagement in
carrying out its mission via public deliberation by using Community Conversations. Ideas are
included relative to guiding theories of the phenomenon over the past 30 plus years. The scholarly
works and theories devoted to civic dialogue and deliberative democracy focus on various facets
of the subject, ranging from moral conflict, meaning, and practice to civic inclusion and
broadening of the practice. I relate to the lack of research focused on the deep experience of
participants during dialogue and contrast that with my observation co-facilitating Community
Conversation events with respect to interpersonal communication and quality of engagement
within civic dialogue. I write in-depth about the ways in which dialogue groups, participants, and
facilitators interact together, and how these groups address and work through interpersonal
communication in the course of the Community Conversation process and argue this is critical to
greater utilization of this approach in the development of awakening new local leadership and
conscious communities.
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