The Rational Consensus of the Society Ruled by Law-An Interpretation of Individual Preference Transformed by Deliberative Democracy for Example of “Twelve Citizens”

Pluralism politics supposes personal preference is external to political process and fixed; political activity is but a summary of personal preferences. In contrast, the republican political view is that personal preference is closely related to political process and can be changed; political council will reshape personal preference. As for the democratic decision-making process, the political pluralism outlook tends to implement democratic ballot, while the republican political outlook advocates deliberative democracy. Ballot democracy not only fails to achieve the transformation of personal preference, but also suppresses the minority's views, thereby greatly affecting the legitimacy and stability of decision making conclusions. Deliberative democracy is valuable in building a public platform for discussion, promoting rational consensus, and shaping citizens. Contemporary China is undergoing profound social transformation, civic awareness is rising, social conflicts are exacerbating, it is urgently needed to guide citizens to express their demands rational through an appropriate manner. With different levels of democratic deliberation, a civic culture focusing on public interest should be cultivated in order to accumulate experience for deepening the democratic process, and reaching a consensus.