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15/02/16 - Call for Papers - “When citizens step in”. Participatory settings and experiments in participatory democracy, environment and participatory research

Interpretive Policy Analysis-11th International Conference-Hull 5-7th July 2016

"The taking over of deliberation and participation functions by state and corporate bodies through regulations and initiatives such as participatory devices seems to both stimulate and channel citizen participation in decision making processes. More and more scholars study these institutional devices, criticizing the “procedural tropism” (Mazeaud, 2011) observed in the literature. Indeed, the proceduralization of citizen participation over the last years, embodied in established and standardized devices which are controlled by a public or administrative institution, is of great social significance.

Those standardized forms of debate, conceived in a top down approach by state and public bodies are also becoming compulsory in different fields of public action. New forms of democracy and social participation are spreading around the world. Powerful electronic networks, like the Internet, beyond institutional control, have created many opportunities for horizontal - as opposed to traditionally vertical - communication, bringing people closer to such issues as the environment, democracy or participatory research. Meanwhile many global organizations have established networks effectively enabling the exchange of ideas and implementation techniques.

These new relationships and interactions are creating the basis for an engaged citizen. This participation of citizens take place in different settings. First, in participatory democracy, civic participation patterns are multiple and various, since states take a variety of paths in response to the challenges arising from processes of economic and liberal globalization. These dynamics produce different mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion and underlie the systems of “variegated citizenship” (Eckert, 2011).

Second, the research community alone cannot achieve legitimate governance of science. Beyond the fact that science projects need to be sensitive to issues of broad public concern, it should also be reflexive. Including Civil Society Organisations in research for example, can help address these issues while providing new ways to give citizens a voice. Do participatory research help “democratize science” ?

Third, a global environmental citizenship may appear. Environmental Citizenship is an idea that each of us is a part of a larger ecosystem and that our future depends on each one of us embracing the challenge and acting responsibly and positively toward our environment. It builds widespread citizen understanding and advocacy for policies and actions designed to manage and protect our natural resources and public health.

The panel will explore the variety of institutional and non institutional devices which promote direct citizen participation in policy making in different fields such as environment, participatory democracy and participatory research. Papers are expected to question and analyze the scale and impact of such calls for citizens’ empowerment. Case studies are welcome, alongside with more general discussion paper on participatory governance."

Call for Papers - Deadline 15th February 2016

Voir sur le site du GIS démocratie & participation.