Public Argument as Self-Preservation: A Critique of Argumentation Theory as a Democratic Practice

The article presents a critical analysis on the argumentation theory of self-preservation as a democratic practice in the U.S. It focuses on public controversy instances following the World Trade Center and the Pentagon attacks on September 11, 2001. The democratic deliberation attempts to equalize power relationships structuring argumentative practice through self-risking argument. It presents the distinction between the public sphere and public controversy to prevent the collapse of the public with news media.