Forms and tools of participatory decision-making at the local level

Question 1

Under what conditions will decentralization encourage a amore participative democarcy? (2 categories)

Answer 1

3 political principles
3 “institutional design features”

Question 2

three political principles to encourage participatory governance?

Answer 2

1. deal with specific tangible problems
2. involve “ordinary people” affected by these problems, as well as local officials, through a bottom-up process
3. resolve these problems through a deliberative approach

Question 3

three “institutional design features” to encourage participatory governance?

Answer 3

1. the devolution of decision making power to local and intersectoral action units
2. the coordination and accountability of these local units before a higher political body
3. the restructuring of local governmnet in accordance with the imperatives created by new partiicpatory arrangements

Question 4

decentralization as a process of pariticipatory democracy

Answer 4

a necessary but insufficient condition to create new political spaces and power relations

Question 5

3 sets of variables that can influence the nature of decentralization and the broadening off the democratic process

Answer 5

1. the role of political parties
2. the role of civil society and its linkage to political parties
3. involvement of civil servants in the implementation of reforms

Question 6

what is the rationale for institutions to provide legislation in favor of PD?

Answer 6

effectiveness and legitimacy

Question 7

The Parties of the Aarhus Convention (UNO, 1998) are required to…

Answer 7

basis for the Public Participation Directive (PPD) & the Water Framework Directive (WFD)

make the neccessary provisions so that public authorities (at national, regional or local level) will contribute to ensuring that environmental rights become effective

through information and pariticipation in decision-making

Question 8

the Public Participation Directive states that: “Memeber States shall ensure that…

Answer 8

… the public is given early and effective oppotunities to participate in the preparation and modification or review of the plans or programmes required to be drawn up on various environmental issues …

Question 9

The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) states that MS…

Answer 9

shall encoursge the active involvement of all interested parties … and public and make comments available to the public including users (e.g. timetable, management plans)

Question 10

Participatory water management and planning Uruguay

Answer 10

2004 consitutional reform
first national water plan, to provide public and private action on water
collaborative work between private and public -> ensuring that Uruguayans had a voice
2016 citiens’ dialogue on the national water plan involved nearly 2000 citizens

Question 11

Engaging youth in Municipal Youth Politcy Development (Nowrthwest Cameroon)

Answer 11

youth leaders were engaged to develop a Municipal Youth Policy, giving a voice to young people (often poor and unemployed)

Question 12

“I want my Neighborhood” Program in Chile

Answer 12

citizen make proposals for neighborhood