Engagement and participation of civilians in any democracy is essential as it helps the government make better decisions and helps them gain the trust of the citizens.
Fremont, CA: Youth participation in political debates is increasing, and online activism is as effective as ever. This evolution of democratic dynamics necessitates a rethinking of daily political participation practices. In this context, participatory democracy has gained traction, fueled by the promise of innovation and the instillation of a new method of collective decision-making.
How has participatory democracy become a new dimension of political engagement, and its significance?
Political participation is central to democracies worldwide, but its implementation varies significantly in terms of quality or type. In all democracies, the electoral process is the most prevalent method of political engagement. Citizens vote to exercise direct influence over the individuals who will serve as their representatives. However, participatory democracy is all about providing citizens with direct or indirect access to the decisions that influence their lives.
People today need a say in public policy. For instance, when it comes to urban planning, people are increasingly advocating for greener cities. Citizens in Barcelona have pushed for the democratization of public spaces by establishing "superblocks" that carve out large car-free zones. They are assisting with implementing this urban policy via citizen participation platforms such as Decidim Barcelona. This type of local and communal engagement is essential for participatory democracy to thrive at all levels. Systemic issues affecting everyone, such as climate change, have prompted individuals to advocate for their voices to be heard globally.
Certain politicians regard participatory democracy as a threat. In fact, the opposite is true. Participatory democracy can be utilized in conjunction with representational democracy, if not instead of it. However, in order for the two to coexist, certain conditions must be met, and a cultural shift within our democratic institutions must occur, one that values transparency and openness and recognizes the importance of public opinion. This continues to be a major challenge for a large number of democratic institutions and their representatives.
