This working paper presents six propositions to problematise
and stimulate thinking around issues of citizen participation in local
governance.
First, the author argues that the relationship between government and
the governed - throughout the world - is becoming one of distrust and
disillusionment.
Second, that both citizens and institutions of the state need to work
together to rebuild this relationship; citizens need to be more active
and engaged, and the state more responsive and effective.
Third, that we need to rethink participation in political processes
towards an engagement that is more deliberative and which can be understood
as a right in itself.
Fourth, that citizen participation at the local level can still be exclusionary
and not pro-poor, but there is potential for new state-citizen synergies
to develop.
Fifth, that participatory governance calls for certain preconditions
to be created.
Sixth, that in the context of globalisation the 'local' needs to be
critically examined in terms of discourse, rights, and scale.
