Participatory Governance

This Handbook concentrates on democracy beyond the traditional governmental structures to explore the full scope of participatory governance. It argues that it is a political task to turn the shift from government to governance into participatory forms, and reflects on the notion of democracy and participatory governance, and how they can relate to each other. The volume offers key examples of how governance can be turned into a participatory form.

Während der Governance-Begriff wissenschaftlich als konsolidiert gelten dürfte, gibt es Probleme bei der praktischen Umsetzung der mit ihm verbundenen Idee. Das englischsprachige Buch misst einige der im "Whitebook on Governance" der EU-Kommission angesprochenen Problemfelder aus und trägt so zur Operationalisierung des Begriffes bei.

The forms of liberal democracy developed in the 19th century seem increasingly ill-suited to the problems we face in the 21st. This dilemma has given rise to a deliberative democracy, and this text explores four contemporary cases in which the principles have been at least partially instituted.

An empirical assessment of whether participatory governance reforms within the EU enhance or endanger democracy. Many consider allowing civil society to take an active role in EU policy-making to offer the most effective means of enhancing democracy in the EU, whereas others argue that such attempts deepen the EU's democratic deficit.

In recent years a new participatory governance dynamic has been redefining relationships and responsibilities in the planning and implementation of policies and programs. Participatory governance not only crosses public, private and associational sectors, but is also intra-organizational. It allows for individual and collective participation, and challenges longstanding norms of institutional behavior. This book examines fresh evidence relating to planning, conflict mediation and public decision-making processes in civil society by bringing together a multi-disciplinary team of practitioners and scholars from North America, Europe, Africa and Australia. In an analysis which spans institutional perspectives and operational concerns, the contributors explore the dynamics of stakeholder involvement as deliberative processes constructed around the core idea of shared responsibility. The book draws out important principles as to how this diversity of engagement can translate itself into more effective public decision-making.

* Geographically diverse examples of participatory governance in action * Practical case studies show how citizens can participate more fully in the political process Despite a recent wave of democratization around the world, traditional systems of representative democracy seem to be in crisis. Citizens in both the North and the South lack opportunities, rights and access to information and have expressed growing disillusionment with their governments. Ordinary citizens (especially women, poor people and other marginalized groups) are largely excluded from the political processes that directly affect their lives. There is now growing consensus that good governance is participatory governance (PG), but public officials are often reluctant to adopt such an approach. From Political Won’t to Political Will addresses the particular challenge of encouraging these officials to involve citizens in the political process. The book presents contributions by participants from CIVICUS’ 2008 conference on building political will for PG. Representing the perspectives of both civil society and government actors, they propose a number of strategies and lessons such as demonstrating the benefits of PG to governments, complementing formal democratic institutions, building trust, supporting PG champions and using strategic political timing. Their practical and highly original findings will interest anyone eager to see the empowerment of people around the world.

The book addresses theoretically and empirically the question under what conditions innovative and sustainable policies can be achieved through participatory governance.

Confusion about governance abounds. Many lack appreciation of how different traditions of thought in the social sciences contribute to our understanding. This book tackles these weaknesses head on and aims to provide a wider vision of the area, examining three critical areas of practice: environmental, corporate and participatory governance.