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A Treatise on Democratic Rhetoric and Rhetorical Democracy University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 8-1-2013 The Nature of Authentic Governance: A Treatise on Democratic Rhetoric and Rhetorical Democracy Daniel L. Foster University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the History Commons, and the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Foster, Daniel L., "The Nature of Authentic Governance: A Treatise on Democratic Rhetoric and Rhetorical Democracy" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 205. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/205 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. THE NATURE OF AUTHENTIC GOVERNANCE: A TREATISE ON DEMOCRATIC RHETORIC AND RHETORICAL DEMOCRACY __________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Social Sciences University of Denver __________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________ by Daniel L. Foster August 2013 Advisor: Dr. Darrin Hicks ©Copyright by Daniel L. Foster 2013 All Rights Reserved Author: Daniel L. Foster Title: THE NATURE OF AUTHENTIC GOVERNANCE: A TREATISE ON DEMOCRATIC RHETORIC AND RHETORICAL DEMOCRACY Advisor: Dr. Darrin Hicks Degree Date: August 2013 ABSTRACT Democracy is a form of governance that allows for the flourishing of human potentiality. Unfortunately, democracy has become less of a means of governance and more of a rhetorical device to secure the consent of the people to be ruled by the elite few. Thus the current study seeks to disrupt this hegemonic means of control through an explication of authentic governance and democracy in order to demonstrate that the current manifestations of governance associated with democracy are inauthentic. To begin, authentic democracy –direct or as it is constituted here, rhetorical democracy– can foster a citizenry of active and empowered participants who express their public wills through rhetorical engagements so as to generate a collective will productive of a collectively binding decision that is reflective of a societal common good. To achieve this end, the foundation of the communicative process is set up as being inherently rhetorical and fundamental for the establishment and continuance of the symbolic orders generative of society’s macro- and micro-cultures. Next, engagement of these symbolic orders through democratic rhetoric is necessary for authentic governance to be actualized. Democratic rhetoric posits a new way of understanding and employing invention for rhetorical engagements concerning public problems, as well as constructing a new notion of rhetorical accountability. It is in one’s participation in the collectively binding decision-making process of a rhetorical democracy, which necessitates inventing through ii the symbolic orders of others, that the educative and transformative power of rhetoric is facilitated and realized. Additionally, this study reconceptualizes ideology as primarily a sense-making system that provides a method for critical ideological analysis of both Athenian democracy and American governance. Democratic rhetoric hinges upon the citizenry’s ability to participate as empowered, functional equals – core ideological constructs of Athenian democracy – in the collectively binding decision-making process. Finally, to facilitate the possibility of democratic rhetoric within governance the current research constructs the possible means, functions and structures, for enacting a rhetorical democracy within the contemporary political context. The implications of this investigation into meaningful symbol systems, culture, rhetoric, ideology, and democracy and the subsequent theory building will prove to be fruitful within the contexts discussed here and in many others. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The wonder of writing a dissertation is that it is both a singular and collective act. Acknowledging those who have poured into the process is a significant moment of learning and celebration. I cannot express how wonderfully my committee has exhibited extraordinary grace and favor as I persevered through my research and writing. The judicious and timely contributions of Dr. Darrin Hicks were not only inspirational but also invaluable for the directions pursued. Modeling an intelligence and excellence that necessitated my own pursuit of both, Dr. Christina Foust from the very beginning has demonstrated to me that our work should be meaningful for the lives of others who are resisting oppression. In the teaching of Dr. Bernadette Calafell my reflective thinking about the implications of culture pushed my understanding of rhetoric and democracy. The heart of Dr. Sandra Dixon to serve and lead will constantly remind me of a true example of how to be a compassionate educator and scholar. To my supportive community – filled with wonderful individuals who have amazingly contributed to all of my being and scholarship – I certainly have achieved this moment only because of you all. Dr. Brant Short and Dr. Dayle Hardy-Short have not only encouraged me, they have also been my ongoing mentors. Dr Arianna Molloy, you were my respondent and wise counselor throughout this journey. Our talking walks were imperative for the development and refinement of the ideas presented here. My family’s loving support has brought me through the dissertation process by being a means of restoring my physical and mental capacities each Christmas and summer break. The common thread that holds us all together is our love for God who has never failed to walk beside or carry me to this new beginning. You are my Shield and the Lifter of my head. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter One: American Democracy? ................................................................................. 2 Authentic Democracy and Democratic Inauthenticity: A Sketch ........................... 8 Critiquing the Critiques of Direct Democracy ...................................................... 21 Pushing Beyond Limitations of Nature and Structure .............................. 22 Being too Fearful to Rule .......................................................................... 24 Difference Necessitates a Place for Public Appearance ........................... 26 Democratic Dangers: Athenian Judgment Nearly Gone Awry ................. 31 The People as a Repository of Superior Knowledge ................................ 34 The Impermanency of Democratic Decisions........................................... 48 Oversight of Democratic Decisions that is Accountable to the People .... 51 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 54 Dissertation Chapter Summaries ........................................................................... 55 Chapter Two: Justifications for Authentic Democracy .................................................... 57 Introduction: Justifications for Authentic Democracy .......................................... 57 Human Nature and Existence ................................................................................ 58 From Nature to Society ......................................................................................... 67 Citizenship ............................................................................................................ 79 Will a World into Being ........................................................................................ 82 To Act in the World .............................................................................................. 91 Conclusion: Fostering the Flourishing of Humanity ............................................ 94 Chapter Three: The Democratic Rhetoric Project ............................................................ 96 Introduction: Justifications for Authentic Democracy .......................................... 96 Authentic Governance .............................................................................. 97 Authentic Governance is Democratic Governance ................................... 99 Foundation of Rhetoric for Democratic Rhetoric ............................................... 103 From Symbols to Culture and Back Again ......................................................... 119 Symbols................................................................................................... 119 Meaning .................................................................................................. 124 Language ................................................................................................. 130 Culture..................................................................................................... 138 Habitus .................................................................................................... 144 Communication Communities ................................................................ 150 Symbolic Orders as Necessary Resources for Democratic Rhetoric .................. 157 Significance of Micro-Cultural Symbolic Orders for Democratic Rhetoric ................................................................................................................. 161 Necessity of Productive Difference for Democratic Rhetoric ................ 165 Symbolic Experimentation through the Process
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