The Multiple Mr. Dewey: Multiple Publics and Permeable Borders in John Dewey's Theory of the Public Sphere

Abstract

This essay explicates how John Dewey's theory of the public sphere supports a conceptual model that recognizes multiple publics and permeable borders between “public” and “private.” As such, Dewey's theory of the public sphere stands as an important antecedent and critical resource for contemporary theorizing. Dewey highlighted the role of communication in the formation and re-formation of publics, and he held an inclusive view of communication as an artful and fluid social process. However, Dewey's view of communication is problematic to the extent to which he privileged face-to-face communication as the primary force that forms local communities.