TRANSFORMAÇÕES ESTRUTURAIS DA ESFERA PÚBLICA POLÍTICA E OS DESAFIOS DA DEMOCRACIA CONSTITUCIONAL

REFLEXÕES A PARTIR DO PENSAMENTO DE JÜRGEN HABERMAS

Abstract

This article discusses the impact of structural transformations in the public sphere on contemporary constitutional democracy. The public sphere, historically consolidated in the transition from modernity to contemporaneity, is the space where civil society can influence the political agenda. However, the virtualization of the public sphere, driven by digital social networks, raises concerns about democracy and constitutional rights. Jürgen Habermas, a German philosopher and sociologist, is a central figure in this debate. He argues that the public sphere is fundamental to democracy but warns of the risks of its political emancipatory function deteriorating due to its operational dominance by digital platforms. This leads to an algorithmic fragmentation that creates "digital bubbles," undermining the conditions for rational public debate. Additionally, it fosters a relativization of its public nature through an individualistic and narcissistic perception that encourages anti-democratic political engagement patterns, fueling the spread of fake news and the electoral rise of authoritarian populism worldwide. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the urgent need for effective regulation of digital platforms and the promotion of media literacy to protect democratic values in the era of digital communication.