Abstract

This project examines contemporary immigration debates through two major frameworks in democratic theory: deliberative democracy and agonistic democracy. First it establishes the deliberative tradition, emphasizing the role of reasoned dialogue, mutual justification, and the inclusion of legitimate interlocutors in democratic decision-making. Then it introduces agonistic democracy as a contrasting lens, one that foregrounds conflict and the transformation of political enemies into legitimate adversaries. While these frameworks are often presented as competing approaches, this project argues that agonistic democracy functions as a precursor to deliberative democracy. Before reasoned deliberation can occur, participants must first recognize one another as members of the same political community capable of contestation without exclusion. This dynamic is particularly obvious in debates over immigration, where questions of who counts as a political subject or even as a legitimate participant in democratic discourse are often contested. To explore these dynamics, the project applies both theoretical lenses to two contemporary cases: speeches by Donald Trump on immigration that frame the issue in stark “us versus them” terms, and rhetoric surrounding sanctuary cities, focusing on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Through discourse analysis, the project illustrates how each figure’s language constructs political boundaries, identifies adversaries or enemies, and either constrains or enables democratic engagement. The analysis demonstrates that both agonistic and deliberative frameworks offer valuable diagnostic tools for identifying moments when democratic practice breaks down or becomes exclusionary. Ultimately, the project concludes that these lenses are not merely competing ideals but practical analytical tools that can reveal failures in democratic discourse and provide a starting point for reimagining more inclusive and productive political engagement around immigration.

Advisor

Weber, Désirée

Second Advisor

Simpson, Sid

Department

Political Science

Disciplines

Political Theory

Keywords

democratic theory, deliberative democracy, agonistic democracy, immigration

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Madeleine Rae Frazier