The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere (by Jürgen Habermas)

Jürgen Habermas's concept of the "Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere" describes how the space for public debate and discussion evolved from the 17th to 20th centuries. Initially, coffeehouses and salons allowed citizens to discuss and scrutinize government and society, fostering democratic ideas. Over time, this arena shifted from an independent domain to being influenced by mass media and commercial interests, reducing genuine public debate. Habermas analyzes how these changes affected democracy, emphasizing the importance of an independent, participatory public sphere for informed citizen engagement.