Research report on blank spots in democratic renewal
26 March 2024
In our knowledge about civic participation, we focus a lot on who participates and how it is organised, but less on what happens to the results. Kors Visscher, Menno Hurenkamp and Evelien Tonkens of the University of Humanistic Studies collected and analysed existing knowledge on democratic renewal in Europe in a research report. You can download the report Witte vlekken in democratische vernieuwing.
Last year, researchers conducted an in-depth overview study of citizen participation initiatives in Europe, commissioned by Charge, political party Volt's new scientific office. The study covers European citizen participation initiatives described in the academic literature over the past decade. Grey literature, such as policy papers and government reports, is also included. Such a survey did not exist before.
To understand and compare the various initiatives, the researchers distinguish success factors within the three phases of democratic processes: input, throughput and output. The input phase revolves around the participants involved, the purpose and themes of the initiatives. Throughput is about the steps from deliberation to decision-making, and output refers to results and follow-up. This approach also helps eliminate conceptual confusion, such as the distinction between a deliberation and a forum.
The study also shows where the gaps are in the designs of democratic renewal - it is very much about who participates ('input'), and also about how the process of participation works best ('throughput') but little to none about what happens to the results ('output'). Kors Visscher: "An important insight for all elected representatives, administrators and involved citizens engaged in participation."
Kors Visscher is conducting PhD research on the democratic legitimisation of citizens' initiatives.
Menno Hurenkamp is a political scientist, professor of Democracy at the University of Humanistic Studies and an authority on the themes of citizenship and democracy.
Evelien Tonkens is a sociologist and Professor of Citizenship and Humanisation of the Public Sector at the University of Humanistic Studies. With years of experience in science, politics and policy, she is an authority on citizenship in the Netherlands.
In our knowledge about civic participation, we focus a lot on who participates and how it is organised, but less on what happens to the results. Kors Visscher, Menno Hurenkamp and Evelien Tonkens of the University of Humanistic Studies collected and analysed existing knowledge on democratic renewal in Europe in a research report.