Abstract:  Deliberative mini-publics, which assemble a randomly sampled group of citizens to deliberate on policy solutions to pressing public problems, are often presented as potential instruments to reconnect citizens with democratic decision-making. Some have argued that if such innovations are to have a positive democratic role, they need to foster deliberation and contestation beyond the mini-public itself. Others, however, highlight how opening the mini-public up to the “maxi-public” comes with its own risks, such as a loss of legitimacy and pressure on mini-public participants. This article argues that the concept of politicisation can make a meaningful contribution to the study of the relationship between mini-publics and maxi-publics, and to more systematic theorisation of the normative benefits and drawbacks of opening mini-publics to public contestation. We adopt a broad understanding of politicisation, defined as the processes by which issues gain political significance through contestation by rival actors in society, and provide an analytical framework that examines the ways that intermediaries can politicise mini-publics at different stages of the process, with varying risks and benefits linked to democratic legitimacy and accountability. We also advance suggestions on how the risks linked with politicisation can be mitigated and associated benefits enhanced through specific mini-public design features.

Keywords:  accountability; institutional design; legitimacy; mini‐publics; politicisation

Published:   14 October 2026

Issue:   Vol 14 (2026): The Representative Disconnect in Contemporary European Democracies (In Progress)