Habermas on democracy and human rights

Habermas"s approach to democracy and human rights is a procedural one. In this interview, the connections between deliberative democracy, human rights and the international order are brought forward, as well as the specific traits of a procedural approach to legal, moral and political concerns. Here, the differences between different types of discourses are brought forward as well, since democratic procedures rely upon a majority-principle which cannot be applied to purely moral questions. The interview with Habermas was carried out during his stay in Bergen, Norway 09.11.2005, in connection to the Holberg Prize Award. Interviewer is Simen Øyen, editor of the journal Replikk, University of Bergen, Norway