WMU News

Deliberative democracy, intervention explored by ethicists

March 2, 1999

KALAMAZOO--The moral and social implications of international intervention and the theory of deliberative democracy will be explored in two upcoming talks sponsored by Western Michigan University's Center for the Study of Ethics in Society.

Dr. Deni Elliot, professor of ethics and director of the Practical Ethics Center at the University of Montana-Missoula, will look at the ethics of non-military intervention in "Good Fences/Good Neighbors: Ethics of Interventions" at 7 p.m. Monday, March 15, in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center. Elliot, whose research has focused on press and government issues in emerging democracies, will look at the practical ethics of intervention from a global perspective. The author of the book "Responsible Journalism," Elliot holds master's degree from Wayne State University and a doctoral degree from Harvard.

A look at the theory of deliberative democracy will be offered by Dr. Emily Hauptmann, WMU assistant professor of political science, in her presentation titled "If Deliberative Democracy is the Solution, What is the Problem?" at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in Room 157 of the Bernhard Center. Deliberative democrats argue that the problems of democracy can be solved through deliberation, but Hauptmann asserts that this theory inadequately addresses many political problems, including distributive justice. The author of the 1996 book "Putting Choice Before Democracy: A Critique of Rational Choice Theory," Hauptmann specializes in political theory and rhetoric and holds both master's and doctoral degrees from the University of California at Berkeley.

Both lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society at (616) 387-4397.

Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu


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