Local Democratic Renewal by Deliberative Participatory Instruments: Participatory Budgeting in Comparative Study

Abstract

Since the 1990s there has been a trend towards more dialogue-oriented political participation—a “deliberative turn,” in the phrase of Dryzek (2003). Deliberative dialogical democracy often develops a path to come from conflict to consensual deliberative decision making. Deliberative instruments were positively influenced by local agenda processes in the 1990s. In the new millennium participatory instruments such as participatory budgeting have spread all over Europe. What kind of instruments are implemented? Who are the key actors? Who is included and who is excluded? Are these instruments enhancing legitimacy and are they able to channel growing political protest? In four systematically analyzed case studies from Estonia, Slovakia, Spain, and Germany different types become apparent.