Abstract

Many contemporary commentators have recognised that economies, cultures and political systems cannot be held together simply by individual pursuit of self-interest, combined with the rule of law. Something much deeper and richer is required and commentators have sought for this elusive quality through studies of ‘social capital’ (Putnam, 2000), ‘trust’ (Fukayama, 1995) and ‘civil society’. Each of these themes draws our attention back to a vital element of contemporary democracy: the ‘public sphere’ - a shared, open space where dialogue, debate and deliberation can flourish. The classic images of the public sphere are the coffee houses of seventeenth century Europe or the vigorous debates among George Washington, James Madison and their colleagues in eighteenth century New England.