Demokracja deliberacyjna w Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów

This article concerns the matter of democracy in The First Republic of Poland (1569/73— 1795). The author puts forward the thesis that fundamental rules of the concept of deliberative democracy, postulated today, were realized in the old polish times, but only in sphere of noblemen. Then democracy was largely open; noblemen very active took part in public debate on local councils and through their deputies. It was a debate with equals participators, open, based on arguments, which were used to convince opponents. Freedom of speech was unlimited. A public debate realized informative and educational functions. It was possible, because on local councils and diets operated a rule of common agreement; all participants in the debate had to agree to make an united decision — otherwise thought that a decision was not adopted. When the conflict between noblemen and the king began to grow The First Polish Republic lost its power and falled.