Citizen Participation

This is a fundamental theme central in the realm of politics and democracy.
Another conception of democracy that has survived throughout contemporary (and liberal) democracies.
- There is a necessity for citizens to be naturally interested in politics.
- Assumptions of the task in intervening with decisions that regard public issues.
This overlaps with political participation.
- There is a focus on the active behavior of citizens in the political sphere.
Types of citizen behavior:
- Protest participation: Actions such as social lobbying in political settings
- Social participation: Public hearings and surveys hosted by and involving citizens
- Electoral participation: The act of campaigning for preferred political candidates and voting
- Obligatory participation: The paying of taxes and performing of mandated role

Related to direct democracy.
- Insists on the necessity of bringing decisions as close to the people as possible.
Posits strong constraints on the principle of delegation.
- This is seen as an instrument of oligarchic power.
Underlines the need to create the conditions for real equality.

People are too passionate and selfish, or too passive and apathetic.
Citizens cannot be expected to be responsible for every public sector decision.
- They lack the time and knowledge.
Citizens lack ‘rationality’ to participate directly.
- “What will I gain from this act of participation that I would not gain if I fail to act?”
The size and complexity of the public sector make direct participation unrealistic.
- Technical, political, and administrative skills are needed to manage public affairs effectively - many citizens do not possess such skills.

The more citizens participate (individually and collectively) in increasing number of arenas, the more citizens are likely to become more capable.
Direct citizen participation leads towards better decision making.
- It facilitates social stability by developing a sense of community.
Participation increases collective decision.
- The idea of making and promoting acceptance and respect towards the governance process.
This is essential for the ongoing development of democratic values and skills among individuals.
- Groups and communities are a necessary condition for (and a likely outcome of) success in collaborative governance.

Liberal democracy, despite its rhetoric and conception of free and equal citizens, cannot remedy or neutralize real power asymmetries.
To fight inequalities (and their delegitimizing effects), greater transparency in the functioning of public - both representative and otherwise - institutions is thus called for along with the democratization of societal institutions.
- The involvement of citizens must be continuous and direct, widening towards a capacity to intervene in all the different areas of a person’s everyday existence.
The democratization of parties and associations is considered particularly important, as these mediate between society and state.