Date: Fri, 22 Mar 96 10:09:04 EST
From: Satoru_Aonuma-AT-mts.cc.wayne.edu
Subject: HAB: public sphere


   Having re-read some of Habermas's earlier works
recently, I had an impression that what he called for is
the formation of a politically effective "extra-parliamentary
opposition" through the re-policization of the public.
I also found that the translation of "Offentlichkeit"
to public "sphere" or "space" in English a little confusing, 
for it seems what he meant by that term is the political/social
"moment" or "phenomenon" in which a historically specific
movement becomes more or less "universal" (in the
"discourse-ethical" sense). 
	  I wonder how my reading of Habermas above deviates 
(or is consistent with) the "standard" reception of his public 
sphere thesis.  I am a grad student in communication, and
not many people in my field read Habermas in that way 
(we usually talk of the public sphere as a communication 
or media space).
______________________________
Satoru Aonuma/Wayne State University 
Satoru_Aonuma-AT-mts.cc.wayne.edu
*******************************
"I don't even know who they are. I mean, I look out into 
the audience and think, who the fuck are these people? 
Why are they here, who are they?  Maybe it's better 
that way; maybe if I were to think too much about my 
audience and what they wanted, it would hold me back." 
-Joe Jackson