Britannica Sources used in this answer

What did John Dewey believe about the public’s role in deciding the public interest?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

John Dewey, an older man with glasses and a mustache, sits and reads a document, wearing a suit and tie. — John Dewey John Dewey.

John Dewey maintained that the public alone holds the authority to determine what constitutes the public interest. He firmly rejected the views of intellectuals, academics, and political leaders who characterized the general public as incompetent or advocated for democratic elitism.1

For Dewey, democracy was not merely a system of government but a "mode of associated life" requiring active, informed participation. He believed that for citizens to make responsible decisions regarding common problems, they must engage in open dialogue with one another within their local communities. This process of deliberation is essential to his vision of democracy as "social intelligence," where citizens cooperate to solve problems through rational inquiry, critical experimentation, and mutual respect.12

By emphasizing that political institutions should be subject to constant criticism and improvement, Dewey underscored that the public interest is not static; rather, it evolves alongside changing historical circumstances. Ultimately, he viewed a society of informed and engaged inquirers as the most effective means of promoting human flourishing and the common good.13