Attending to agonism and the political in democratic education. Deliberation by contrast - Agonism Explored

6 important questions on Attending to agonism and the political in democratic education. Deliberation by contrast - Agonism Explored

What does Lo mean by Agonism?

She uses Ruitenberg.
An approach to the political that accepts the pervasiveness of political conflict and seeks to channel that conflict positively, as opposed to minimizing or eliminating the conflict rationally.

Not ignoring emotive and irrational aspects of comprehensive doctrines.
Agonism in democratic education attempts to help students understand the conflicts behind incommesurable beliefs and channel these conflicts for productive ends.

What is the difference between antagonism and agonism?

Antagonism seeks to avoid or conquer a hostile enemy.
Agonism anticipates to face and struggle with a dissimilar adversary.

How can agonism be incoporated in the classroom?

By implementing curricula that are centered on deliberation. But instead of focusing only on the consensus-making powers of logical deliberation, teachers can guide students into conversations for negotiation and transformation.
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What does a focus on agonism in the classroom do?

Students are asked to bring forth their emotions and their sense of fairness and justice (or injustice) rather than to simply look for logical commonalities between themselves and their peers.

Agonistic deliberation might help create spaces where students can express their underlining ideas, emotions, and perspectives on controversial issues more openly.

Agonistic delberation takes all perspectives into account, why?

It validates students perspectives no matter how bizarre, jarring or irrational they may seem.
All perspectives would need to be taen into account when students begin to discuss actionable solutions to issues, not just the ones sanctioned by existing norms.


For marginalized students these conversations may help validate their feelings, realities and ideas, even when they differ from the majority point of view.
 

What is the ultimate goal of agonism?

The ultimate goal of agonism is not just political tolerance but for future transformation- transformation of how everyone in class perceives their realities.

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