This paper is a tribute to Luigi Bobbio and contributes to discussion about his work, highlighting the role of his research in the analysis of the relationships between conflict, participation and public decision-making. It was this topic that brought us together and led to our collaboration, but I believe that it was also a unique feature of his position as a researcher involved both in the analysis of participation and its effects, and in promot-ing the capacity of various mechanisms to address conflicts not by calming them but by fostering debate and improving public decision-making.