ABSTRACT
This chapter provided a chance for the IMO delegates to speak and express their views over several issues that are pivotal to the deliberative process in the IMO and its democratic operation. The chapter focuses on two of the ‘ideal speech situation’ conditions: access and equality. Those two key criteria that are central to the establishment of an ideal deliberative setting are at the same time two essential criteria for establishing a democratic setting in any deliberative discussion. Indeed, ensuring that those who should be in the meeting are able to access it and then participate equally in it are important conditions for any democratic discussion. Thus, this chapter zooms in on those two conditions to see whether they are established in practice within the IMO meetings. The chapter analyses the responses of the IMO delegates that were gathered from the interviews in relation to questions over access and equality. In addition to the focus on those two aspects, the chapter considers the state of ‘inclusion’ within the IMO as this is important for ensuring that the delegates feel heard and listened to during the deliberations. The discussion also addresses the controversy over ‘business interests’ in the IMO, a topic that has captured the media's attention and generated criticism towards this international institution. An analysis of the views of the interviewees brings new information to this debate.
