Skip to main content
Geosciences LibreTexts

3.4.1: Debate, Dialogue and Deliberation

  • Page ID
    15628
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    The video below juxtaposes dialogue and debate. Note that there is a time and place for debate. There is misinformation that needs to be challenged and debunked. People do not get to make up their own facts and reality and expect that they will go unchallenged. The important point is that before we can start debating issues such as Marcellus Shale, people must feel heard and respected, and that requires dialogue..

    Dialogue Versus Debate (7:07)

    The table below summarizes the key differences between debate, dialogue, and deliberation.

    Debate, Dialogue, & Deliberation
    Debate Dialogue Deliberation
    Compete Exchange Weigh
    Argue Discuss Choose
    Promote option Builds relationships Make choices
    Seek majority Understand Seek overlap
    Persuade Seek understanding Seek common ground
    Dig in Reach across Framed to make choices
    Tight structure Loose structure Flexible structure
    Express Listen Learn
    Usually fast Usually slow Usually slow
    Win/lose No decision Common ground
    Community division Enhanced trust Legitimacy and buy-in

    Credit: Adapted from Discovering Common Ground: Missouri Communities Deliberate Community Development, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension (p. 9).


    This page titled 3.4.1: Debate, Dialogue and Deliberation is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Marcellus Matters (John A. Dutton: e-Education Institute) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.