Making good society: growing participatory and deliberative democracy

Veronique Jochum — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:30:57 +0000

The Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in the UK and Ireland, funded by Carnegie UK Trust, has now published its final report ‘Making good society’. The Commission identifies four critical areas in which civil society activity is necessary to make good society:

Growing a more civil economy;
A rapid and just transition to a low carbon economy;
Democratising media and content;
Growing participatory and deliberative democracy.

In chapter four of the report, the one relating to participatory and deliberative democracy, the Commission recommends the following:

Strengthening very local democracy with clear rights to set up neighbourhood councils with powers to raise finance and act.
Refashioning parliaments to allow for more dialogue and engagement, including rights of petition and rights for petititioners to take part in debates.
Reinforcing rights to dissent and reviewing the impact of serious crime and anti-terror legislation on civil society to reduce the risk of unintended harm to civil society domestically and globally.
Investing in deliberation skills. Individuals, civil society associations and public bodies need to help strengthen the skills of active listening, rational argument and effective deliberation.
Developing leaders from all backgrounds. More needs to be done to support those organisations that are effective at identifying and supporting emerging leaders who reflect the communities they serve.
Bridging difference. A related priority for funders is to support individuals or initiatives that are skilled at overcoming conflicts or mutual distrust.
Harnessing the potential of the Internet by using SMS, twitter and social networking sites as tools for mobilisation, education and direct action.

Deliberative and participatory democracy in the UK – call for papers: conference at Glasgow Caledonian University (23-25 June 2010)

Veronique Jochum — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:03:23 +0000

The Political Studies Association is hosting a conference which will explore the broad range of issues that relate to the institutionalisation of deliberative and participatory democracy. In particular it encourages papers and panels that have a specific focus on, or relevance to, democracy in the UK. Papers drawing on empirical evidence as well as those with a more theoretical approach are equally welcome, as are papers from supporters, sceptics and critics of deliberative and participatory democracy.

The deadline for electronic submission of proposals for papers or panels is 1 March 2010. For more information contact Stewart Davidson: stewart.davidson@gcal.ac.uk

Pathways Through Participation » democracy

Making good society: growing participatory and deliberative democracy

Deliberative and participatory democracy in the UK – call for papers: conference at Glasgow Caledonian University (23-25 June 2010)