Angus

Let me first start by saying that the article came up sideways on my computer and in order to read it I either had to tilt my head or prop my computer up on its side...that alone made this an unpleasant reading experience, not to mention that I ended up reading the last two pages of this article before realizing that the sideways appearance of the article did some thing to the order of the pages and that I had to start at the end read one page forward and two pages back. It was quite a complicated process just to read an article.
"What is Democratic Debate?" tells about the importance of Democracy and the need for debate. Democracy is rule by the people. If only a few people participate in the government it becomes an oligarchy (rule by a few). Debating is a way for the people to get involved in the government and make their views heard. This creates the need for a public forum (public space) in which the different views can be presented.
Public space is important because without it democracy cannot exist, we need the public space for debates, without which the ruling body becomes unrepresentative of the general population. Angus mentions the "declune if the public." The public needs to be involved in government, and needs the public space in which to voice their views.
Different categories that distinguish "democracy" from other forms of social organization are the civilized debate as opposed to ruthless violence and bloodshed that is used in other countries to make opinions known, or to keep order. We have a participatory government, in which all are welcome to be a part off, to share their views and to vote for our leaders. We are not a monarchy, with a permanent ruler, nor are we a tyranny, subdued by military power. Since all are welcome to participate democracy is not an oligrachy ruled by only a priviledged few, although that it what our government is becoming due to the large amounts of funding that campaigns need.
Angus points out the need for large funding in order to lead a successful campaign. He says that more important than this though is the ability to debate. Debate is not costly and every citizen should have the ability and opportunity. This is what makes democracy what it is.