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What role did local community dialogue play in John Dewey’s theory of democracy?

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

For John Dewey, democracy was more than a system of government; it was a "mode of associated life" rooted in cooperative problem-solving. Local community dialogue played a foundational role in this theory, as Dewey believed that citizens must engage with one another to identify and address their common problems.12

Dewey argued that for citizens to make informed, responsible decisions, they needed to participate in active, critical inquiry within their local spheres. He rejected the notion of democratic elitism, maintaining that only the public—through collective dialogue and the exchange of ideas—can determine the common good. By treating each other with mutual respect and a willingness to revise views through experimental inquiry, individuals could transform democracy into a process of "social intelligence". This emphasis on deliberation and local engagement remains a cornerstone of his philosophy, as it ensures that democratic institutions remain responsive to the public interest and the evolving needs of society.12