Fake Democracy: The Limits of Public Sphere Theory^*

* The term “Fake Democracy” is taken from an article by Fenton and Freedman, “Fake Democracy, Bad News” (2017).

Abstract

Liberal democracy has been eviscerated, hollowed out from within and emptied of liberalisms many promises that have failed to materialise. Meanwhile inequality has increased exponentially, ecological crisis beckons and the often unaccountable power of elites (in politics, media, finance, corporations, etc.) increases dramatically. As citizens feel evermore cut adrift from the decisions that make their lives livable so global capital continues to prosper and shape politics. At the same time, the digital age gives us information abundance and unprecedented connectivity. This article considers the critical question: is public sphere theory adequate to address the political, democratic and economic crises we now face? Can a concept dependent on a liberal democratic frame that is now so undone really offer a critical perspective suggestive of democratic futures or is it rather holding us back, capturing us in the comfort zones of liberalism offering no more than fake democracy and in the process threatening to hinder critical theory’s ability to better imagine emancipatory futures?

KEYWORDS:

• liberal democracy
• public sphere
• inequality
• representation
• austerity
• trust

Notes

* The term “Fake Democracy” is taken from an article by Fenton and Freedman, “Fake Democracy, Bad News” (2017).

1. Precise data on the ages of voters were not available at the time of writing. The range of 57–72 per cent offered here is based on a variety of estimates from different polling agencies.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Natalie Fenton

Natalie Fenton is a Professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is Co-Director of the Goldsmiths Leverhulme Media Research Centre and the Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy. She has published widely on issues relating to news, journalism, civil society, radical politics and new media. She is on the Board of Directors of the campaign group Hacked Off and a founding member of the Media Reform Coalition.