Manchester University Press
5 Opening up local democracy beyond the formal realm
Abstract
The New Localism has been fostered and encouraged by central government as part of its strategy to reinvigorate local democracy and boost civic engagement and empowerment. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Conservative governments promoted public participation in relation to the delivery and shaping of local public services. This chapter looks at the democratic developments beyond the formal realm of elections, political parties and local political institutions. It presents the analysis of three local initiatives beyond the ballot, namely citizens' panels, local referenda and participatory budgeting. The chapter focuses on the growing trend towards neighbourhood governance at the local level over the last decade, and the town and parish councils. It considers the potential of utilising technology such as high-speed community broadband, in enhancing civic engagement, building communities and developing social capital. The chapter also presents the examination of what one could term the new forms of democracy.
Abstract
The New Localism has been fostered and encouraged by central government as part of its strategy to reinvigorate local democracy and boost civic engagement and empowerment. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Conservative governments promoted public participation in relation to the delivery and shaping of local public services. This chapter looks at the democratic developments beyond the formal realm of elections, political parties and local political institutions. It presents the analysis of three local initiatives beyond the ballot, namely citizens' panels, local referenda and participatory budgeting. The chapter focuses on the growing trend towards neighbourhood governance at the local level over the last decade, and the town and parish councils. It considers the potential of utilising technology such as high-speed community broadband, in enhancing civic engagement, building communities and developing social capital. The chapter also presents the examination of what one could term the new forms of democracy.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Abbreviations ix
- Preface xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The theoretical context 5
- 2 Civic engagement and political participation 26
- 3 The challenge of local democracy, civic engagement and community 41
- 4 Local democracy at the formal level 75
- 5 Opening up local democracy beyond the formal realm 96
- 6 Local services, community and civic engagement 117
- 7 Regeneration and sustainability 137
- Conclusion 154
- Bibliography 157
- Index 171
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Abbreviations ix
- Preface xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The theoretical context 5
- 2 Civic engagement and political participation 26
- 3 The challenge of local democracy, civic engagement and community 41
- 4 Local democracy at the formal level 75
- 5 Opening up local democracy beyond the formal realm 96
- 6 Local services, community and civic engagement 117
- 7 Regeneration and sustainability 137
- Conclusion 154
- Bibliography 157
- Index 171
