@article{Holst2020,
title = {Deliberative systems theory and citizens’ use of online media: testing a critical theory of democracy on a high achiever.},
author = {Cathrine Holst and Hallvard Moe },
url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0032321719890809},
doi = {10.1177/0032321719890809 Article information },
year = {2020},
date = {2020-04-06},
journal = {Political Studies},
pages = {1-18},
abstract = {Deliberative systems theory is a promising candidate for a normative theory of democracy that combines ideal requirements with feasibility. Yet, recent theoretical elaborations and studies of citizens’ online media use inspired by the theory suffer from an incomplete account of the public sphere’s epistemic function, too rough interpretations of participatory levels, shortcomings in the understanding of online media, and a context-insensitive notion of policy reform. Addressing these weaknesses, the article argues for a refined version of deliberative systems theory. Particular attention is given to feasibility considerations. Reviewing studies of online democracy in Norway, the article shows that the theoretical critique has practical significance. It is also argued that the amended version of the deliberative systems approach produces a diagnosis of Norwegian online democracy more in line with reasonable expectations to a high achiever. This is taken as a prima facie indicator of feasibility.},
note = {Pre SFI},
keywords = {Deliberative Democracy, Experts, Non-ideal theory, Online Media, Public Sphere, WP1: Understanding Media Experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Moe2019,
title = {Distributed Readiness Citizenship: A Realistic, Normative Concept for Citizens’ Public Connection.},
author = {Hallvard Moe},
url = {https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/bitstream/handle/1956/23098/qtz016.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y},
doi = {10.1093/ct/qtz016},
issn = {1050–3293},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-12-09},
journal = {Communication Theory},
abstract = {This article argues that our view of citizens as miserably failing to maintain their role in democracy is problematic, and that the problems stem from the “informed citizen” ideal: it is too demanding, but also misses the target. The article proposes an alternative normative concept for citizens’ public connection: distributed readiness citizenship. The concept highlights how the state of being prepared to act is more important than levels of measurable political knowledge. Readiness is crucial to finding enough information and relevant cues, and it cannot be assessed based on individual citizens in isolation, but should be considered as distributed, and embodied in citizens’ social networks, with a division of labor. With such a conceptualization, we are better equipped to evaluate existing conditions, judge the impact of populism and propaganda, and figure out how to improve the chances for those less well-off to participate in democracy.},
note = {Pre SFI},
keywords = {Citizenship, Deliberative, Democracy, Democratic Realism, Normative Theory, Public Sphere, WP1: Understanding Media Experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Arne2018,
title = {Approximately Informed, Occasionally Monitorial? Reconsidering Normative Citizen Ideals.},
author = {Brita Ytre-Arne and Hallvard Moe},
url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1940161218771903},
doi = {10.1177/1940161218771903},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-04-27},
journal = {International Journal of Press/Politics},
volume = {23},
number = {2},
pages = {227–246},
abstract = {This article identifies gaps between normative ideals and realistic accounts of news use in democracy today. Starting from the widespread but unrealistic ideal of the informed citizen, and its more realistic development through notions of the monitorial citizen, we analyze comprehensive qualitative data on news users’ experiences. We describe these news users as approximately informed, occasionally monitorial. This description emphasizes the limited, shifting, and partial figurations of societal information that citizens are able to obtain through their use of journalistic and social media, and thereby challenges normative ideals. How do monitorial ideals function when the citizens are only occasionally on guard? By zooming in on three key gaps between even a less demanding ideal and actual practices in news use, we underline the need to further reconceptualize our expectations of citizens’ news use.},
note = {Pre SFI},
keywords = {Citizens, Democracy, Democratic Realism, Media Audiences, News, Public Sphere, WP1: Understanding Media Experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}