Definition of Participatory Democracy

In the vast majority of democratic systems, citizens participate in the different electoral processes: local, regional and state. After the vote count, some representatives of the people are elected, who become councilors, deputies or senators. This model is known by a term: democracy representative.

For some political scientists and analysts, representative democracy is a deficient and imperfect system, since in practice the representatives of the people move away from the general interests of the citizenship. To improve the deficiencies of parliamentary representation, a model is proposed in which citizens can participate more actively in the politics. The system that is advocated receives a denomination, participatory democracy.

The idea of ​​participation can be specified through different mechanisms and processes

The defenders of a participatory democratic model propose a wide range of initiatives:

- Popular assemblies open to all citizens in which a matter of general interest has previously been raised. In popular consultations, initiatives that affect all citizens are approved or rejected.

- The intervention of citizens in state decision-making bodies and in administrative structures.

- The possibility that citizens can dismiss an elected position before their term ends (this proposal is known as a revocation of mandate).

- Public meetings in which the representatives of the people debate directly with the citizens.

In short, the mechanisms of participation They allow citizens a greater involvement in public affairs that affect general interests.

Supporters of this model value it positively, since they understand that it increases levels of transparency and can help combat different forms of corruption (clientelism, abuse from authority, influence peddling, hidden enrichment ...).

The participatory model is not without its critics

Critics of this system consider it inappropriate for several reasons. In the first place, popular assemblies are easily manipulated by demagogues and populists, who can manipulate the people with their skill rhetoric.

Second, they understand that citizens are not adequately trained to make decisions about certain complex matters and, therefore, public management must be in the hands of professionals and technicians specialized.

Photos: Fotolia - Lenka Misincova / Normanherauf