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Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyer, Minister of Panchayati Raj in India, at the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Society of Participatory Research in India (PRIA)

Participatory democracy: a challenge for us all?

Many countries have experienced huge gains in democratic participation during the past 25 years. Today over 150 countries have the minimum standard of democracy – the right to vote. But there are still major challenges to face. How do we build deeper democracies which go beyond representation to more inclusive governance where citizens can participate in decision-making and get their voices heard? What does the future look like? And how can we keep imagination about democracy going?

Twenty five years ago, the Society of Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) began working towards more inclusive forms of democracy where citizens are able to participate and have a voice. PRIA celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year with a series of events, culminating in a large conference in February which brought together people from India , South Asia and other parts of the world who have been championing citizen participation.

José Carlos Vaz of POLIS, Brazil; Mr Jagdananda of the Centre for Youth and Development, India; and Dr Ismail Davids from the Foundation for Contemporary Research, South Africa all presented experiences of citizen participation in their respective countries. DRC Director John Gaventa summarised the debates and shared his reflections on local governance.

John said when PRIA started 25 years ago, the situation in countries represented at this conference, was very different. For example, Brazil was under dictatorship, as were Bangladesh and Uganda . South Africa was an apartheid country. In India, there were no 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments which have now opened up opportunities for local participation in what we must recognize is the largest democracy on earth. 25 years ago, one million women had not been elected to local office from local Panchayats, as is now the case.

At the conference many people discussed the deficits and shortcomings of democratic participation. In mature democracies such as the UK and the USA , voting rates are declining and people have lost faith in their governments. In South Africa there is frustration because the constitutional form of democracy is not yet taking hold. In Brazil, and elsewhere, people are struggling to hold pressure for growth in equality. Global economic agendas have been laid on top of so many growing democracies. How we now address this deficit is fundamental.

We should challenge the neo-liberal market approach to democracy which leaves it to market forces. We should also reject a one-size-fits-all approach to democracy that originates from the West and is often backed up by military power. We have a choice to deepen democracy, and we need to put forth a vision of democracy that is more participatory, more inclusive and which does not stop at representative forms of democracy and elections.

People’s participation and citizen innovation are critical. Democracy from below means having rights and producing a democracy that is suitable to a particular context and environment. This is not without challenges – fitting participatory democracy onto existing legal frameworks and ensuring the participation of more vulnerable or powerless people is difficult.

Confronting these challenges, means recognising that democracy at the local level is a building block of a larger forum of democracy at national and global levels. Making sure that those who are representatives have legitimacy and are accountable is also important.

Mr. Mani Shanker Aiyar (Honorable Minister for Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs, Sports and Development of North East Region, Government of India) closed the conference by congratulating and acknowledging the advances that have been made by citizen participation. He gave a reminder that there is still much to be done. He said, “People should feel that through their participation the future is being made brighter.”

Congratulations to PRIA on their 25th anniversary and best wishes for the continuation of your work.