Parliamentary Communication Against Democracy

Parliament holds a unique position in democratic systems as the central institution in legitimating decision-making processes. Recent debates on transformations of democracy and on new forms of international democracy, however, tend to ignore parliament as a central institution of democratic communication. In contrast, approaches in parliamentary research emphasize the parliament’s role as a public forum for political conflict and debate.

From a theoretical perspective of liberal democracy, parliamentary communication should only allow for democratic ways of speaking. I.e. parliamentary discourse and rhetoric should realize democratic ideals such as freedom and equality. But, what happens if parliamentary communication renders anti-democratic or even a-democratic parlance possible? Who is able to identify a-democratic rhetoric? Which reactions on a-democratic speech are possible, and for whom are they possible? Does a specific parliamentary environment hinder or support such rhetoric? Which consequences can be expected for the communication in parliaments and for the democratic quality of parliament?

This panel aims at discussing the impact of anti-democratic rhetoric in parliamentary discourses from different points of view. We invite empirical research on parliaments as well as theoretical – analytical and normative – discussions on democracy threatened by anti-democratic communication. Examples can be drawn from historical cases as well as research on current events.