Abstract: There has been a huge amount of interest in the theory of deliberative democracy in China in recent years. Scholars generally hold an optimistic attitude towards it. Nevertheless, before determining whether a theory is beneficial, it is needed to decide whether the theory is reasonable in itself. The introduction of Chantal Mouffe’s democratic model of agonistic pluralism may be helpful to reflect challenges or problems that the theory of deliberative democracy faces. On the basis of Carl Schmitt’s political theory, Mouffe criticizes deliberative democracy that is proposed by Rawls and other liberals. Different from deliberative democracy, Mouffe argues for the antagonistic nature of democratic politics and the importance of passion in cultivating citizens.