The Pulse of Democracy (Pulse) is a community of the dissimilars.

By virtue of the comments by its readers, each and every text as well as the Pulse in its entirety grow into a network of diverging opinions that build upon one another through constant confrontation, clashing, and reconsideration. In that respect, the Pulse is as much a creation and property of its readers as of its authors and editors. This discursive ‘weaving’ heads not towards one single solution to the problems posed, a solution which in a true and truly pluralistic democracy in any case is impossible, but rather strives to maintain substantiated debates over issues of relevance to BiH today and tomorrow.

For the Pulse therefore there can be no opinions of lesser importance – democratic discussion presumes continuous interaction between different views but also open encounter with the deficiencies and limitations of our own opinions through discussion with our opponents.

This is why the Pulse does not think for its readers - the Pulse talks with them.

The guiding principle of the Pulse of Democarcy (Pulse) is the idea that we can only understand and begin to change our societal reality through continuous dialogue with those with whom we share that reality, no matter how different they may be. Living that difference does not mean tolerating others, but actively seeking to change the way we live together and to be changed in the process.

In that respect, Pulse is opening an entirely new space in the public sphere of Bosnia and Herzegovina – the space for critical democracy. Critical democracy is democracy engaged in reflecting upon itself, in continuous questioning of its own principles, priorities, means and ends. Critical democracy emerges from the idea that there can be no absolute or perennial political solutions but only the perennial political questions.

The Pulse is hence, envisioned as a gathering point for the democratic development analysts, policy makers and the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through a critical analysis of the normative and institutional framework, our authors strive to further a mutual understanding between the public of BiH and their political representatives. The purpose of that understanding is creation of such public policies where public bears both on the manner in which the policies are developed and on the problems they address. The ultimate goal is opening the public sphere of decision making to those to whom it properly belongs – the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As a community of readers and authors the Pulse itself is a step towards such truly public public sphere.

Open Society Fund Bosnia and Herzegovina (OSF BiH) is an independent non-profit organisation working as part of the Soros Foundations network, aimed at promoting open society.

Since its inception in 1993, OSF BiH has been developing programme objectives which follow the changes shaping the BiH society, remaining dedicated to its fundamental idea of developing an open society in BiH.

Open society is a society based on the understanding that no one has the monopoly over truth, that different people have different views and interests, and that there is a need for institutions which protect the rights of all persons, enabling them to live together and in peace. Generally, open society is characterized by a reliable rule of law, the existence of a democratically elected government, a versatile and dynamic civil society, and respect for the rights of minorities.

So far, the Foundation has invested more than 60 million dollars for different education, legal, media, cultural and other projects. Further 50 million dollars for support to Bosnia and Herzegovina has arrived through the Soros Humanitarian Fund.