In the sixties and seventies the public spheres in Western countries were places of critique. Various kinds of social movements democratised institutions and political culture. Today neoliberal politics and populist movements have transformed these arenas into theatres of real challenge to democracy. The outcome of this challenge will depend on how democratic political actors make their presence felt in the public sphere.
Walter Privitera is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Milan-Bicocca. He works in the areas of cultural sociology and social theory. Current primary research interests include the public sphere, theories of individualisation as well as Europe and its changes. His most recent books are Tecnica, individuo e società (2004), Sfera pubblica e democratizzazione (2012), Gli usi della sfera pubblica (2012).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PART 1
THE PUBLIC SPHERE A COMPLEX CONCEPT
1. THE IDEA OF THE PUBLIC SPHERE
The Classical Public Sphere
The Arrival of Textuality: The Media
2. THE PUBLIC SPHERE IN HABERMAS. A THEORETICAL JOURNEY
The Thematic Shift
The Theory of Communicative Action
Constitutional State and Democracy: Between Facts and Norms
The Discourse Model
The Topography
Uses of the Public Sphere
PART 2
A RESPONSIVE PUBLIC SPHERE
3. THE MEDIATISED PUBLIC SPHERE AND THE POPULIST CHALLENGE
Structural Transformations
Populist Forces
4. A RESPONSIVE PUBLIC SPHERE
Some Particular Characteristics of the Responsive Public Sphere
5. PUBLIC SPACE VS. RESPONSIVE PUBLIC SPHERE
Public Space
Responsive Public Sphere
Responsive Public Sphere and Distance from Praxis
6. BEHIND THE SCENES
Political Culture
Cultural Hegemony
Political Dispositions
APPENDIX
PUBLIC SPHERE AND POPULISMIN EUROPE. THE GERMAN CASE
Origins of the Crisis: The Concealed Neoliberalism of German Politics
The Great Cover-up: “Round up the usual suspects”
The New Hegemonic Discourse in German
Public Sphere
BIBLIOGRAPHY