A Normative Perspective for Political Entertainment Research: Connecting Deliberative Democracy and Entertainment Theory

Through the connection of deliberative democracy and entertainment theory this article proposes a normatively grounded basis for research on political (entertainment) media. With regard to deliberation, it builds upon mediated deliberation research and a concept Goodin called “deliberation within.” As for media entertainment processes, it draws on two-process-models of entertainment experiences. Building on further insights from both areas, it presents a theoretical model that combines these concepts. The model elucidates how normative deliberative standards may be compatible with the entertainment needs and experiences of media users, thereby offering a viable perspective for the political education of citizens in modern democracies. Consequences and recommendations for practice and further research are discussed.