Meaning of participatory democracy (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Participatory Democracy:

Participatory democracy is a system of political organization that gives citizens a greater, more active and more direct capacity to intervene and influence public decision-making.

In this sense, we can understand participatory democracy as a modern evolution of the direct democracy of Ancient Greece, where the citizens, their voice and vote, had a real influence and specific weight in all the public decisions of the cities- State.

That is why participatory democracy assumes as one of its objectives that the citizen does not limit his role within the democratic system to the exercise of suffrage, as occurs in representative democracy, but assumes a leading, active and propositional role within politics., both at community, regional and national levels.

In this way, one of the challenges of participatory democracy is to create a society made up of active citizens, organized and prepared to assume a dynamic role on the political scene; individuals who, from the school itself, are educated to participate in this political system.

Basically, the aim is for citizens to become involved in decisions that affect them, proposing initiatives, promoting assemblies and debates, pronouncing themselves in favor or against one or another measure, as well as monitoring and verifying their implementation.

Characteristics of participatory democracy

The ideal promoted by the participatory democratic system is that of a fairer, more plural society with greater social inclusion, which is recognized in the values ​​of consensus, tolerance and collaboration.

However, it is important to underline the hybrid nature of participatory democracy (hence some who call it semi-direct ), since this, rather than constituting a system in itself, can be understood as a complementary practice of representative democracy to reinforce participation citizen.

Some Latin American countries, such as, for example, Venezuela or Colombia, call their democratic system as participatory, although the consolidation of this model is still in process.

Participatory democracy mechanisms

In a participatory democracy, the citizen has various practical participation mechanisms. Examples of these mechanisms are the formulation of initiatives, reforms or solutions in citizen assemblies or before executive or legislative instances.

Other forms include the activation of consultation mechanisms, such as the referendum or the plebiscite, either for the sanction or repeal of a law, or for the revocation of the mandate of a ruler.

Participatory and representative democracy

Participatory democracy is considered a direct way of giving citizens the mechanisms to exercise political power. In contrast, representative or indirect democracies are characterized by granting political power to elected representatives through voting.