Varieties of Participation in Complex Governance

Abstract

The multifaceted challenges of contemporary governance demand a complex account of the ways in which those who are subject to laws and policies should participate in making them. This article develops a framework for understanding the range of institutional possibilities for public participation. Mechanisms of participation vary along three important dimensions: who participates, how participants communicate with one another and make decisions together, and how discussions are linked with policy or public action. These three dimensions constitute a space in which any particular mechanism of participation can be located. Different regions of this institutional design space are more and less suited to addressing important problems of democratic governance such as legitimacy, justice, and effective administration.

Europeanisation of interest intermediation in the Central and Eastern European member states: contours of a mixed model

“…Analysis of the procedural format brings attention to the procedural principles, formats of interactions, and working methods. The literature on collaborative governance refers to working methods as modes of communication between actors and decision-making, stressing such dimensions as formality/informality and deliberation/bargaining (Fung 2006). Finally, the last constitutive element of modes of interactions, and the most challenging for conceptualisation, is their purpose.…”

User co-production of public service delivery: Effects on trust

“…Second, current research on co-production of public service delivery often highlights successful cases (e.g. Ackerman, 2004;Bovaird and Löffler, 2012;Fung, 2006). Therefore, comparisons between the evaluation of clients between co-produced services and 'traditionally' produced services, and comparisons between different outcomes (positive vs. negative) remain absent in current literature.…”

Ação comunicativa na gestão de um serviço privatizado de água e esgotos: uma avaliação em Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES)

“…Um exemplo é o Orçamento Participativo adotado por diversas administrações municipais brasileiras. Em relação à área de saneamento, o processo de participação popular revelou-se importante fator para o alcance da eficiência e performance em relação à universalização dos serviços em Porto Alegre, por exemplo (Fung, 2006;Viero, 2003).…”