Habermas’ thesis is that the structure (of
communication) is free from constraint only when for all
participants there is a symmetrical distribution of chances to select
and employ speech acts, when there is an effective equality of
chances to assume dialogue roles. In particular, all participants
must have the same chance to initiate and perpetuate discourse,
to put forward, call into question, and give reasons for or against
statements, explanations, interpretations, and justifications.
Furthermore, they must have the same chance to express
attitudes, feelings, intentions and the like, and to command, to
oppose, to permit, and to forbid, etc. In other words, the conditions
of the ideal speech situation must ensure discussion which is
free from all constraints of domination. Thus, the conditions for
ideal discourse are connected with conditions for an ideal form of
life; they include linguistic conceptualizations of the traditional
ideas of freedom and justice. ‘Truth’, therefore, cannot be analyzed
independently of ‘freedom’ and ‘justice’