Bridging Citizen Participation and Democratic Systems: Lessons from Iceland’s 2019 Deliberative Poll

This paper examines why deliberative minipublics often struggle to influence policy change, using the Icelandic deliberative poll of 2019 as a case study. Drawing on qualitative data from 25 interviews with Icelandic MPs (including the prime minister and all party leaders), alongside media coverage, parliamentary proceedings, and party programs, the analysis applies the "3 I's" framework—ideas, institutions, and interests. The study investigates MPs' perceptions of deliberative minipublics and explores how political party ideologies shape their approach to deliberative democracy. It also evaluates institutional factors, including the design of the deliberative poll and broader policymaking mechanisms such as parliamentary structures and procedures, to assess their impact on policy uptake. Additionally, the role of political and societal interests is scrutinized, focusing on how party priorities and strategies interact with the outcomes of deliberative processes and how interest groups influence both these outcomes and public opinion. Particular attention is given to how interest groups shape public discourse through traditional and social media and their influence on political actors. By integrating these dimensions, the paper highlights the intricate interplay between ideas, institutional frameworks, and interests that impedes the translation of deliberative outcomes into actionable policy. The findings provide valuable insights into the barriers to policy impact in deliberative democracy and suggest ways to address these challenges to bridge the gap between citizen deliberation and political decision-making.