Denden Alicias, July 20091
Participatory governance processes have mushroomed around the world but a number of
studies have already pointed out to the failures of sustaining the participatory projects and
in empowering ordinary citizens. In this article, I draw attention to a complicated set of
enabling factors for success in participatory governance. The insights and lessons here
are culled from the studies of Rebecca Abers on the internationally acclaimed
participatory budget policy in Porto Alegre, Brazil. With the rise of progressive political
parties in Southeast Asia, coupled with the introduction of participatory governance
spaces in conjunction with decentralization, the insights from Porto Alegre may be
helpful in thinking about local governance transformations in the region.
? A dual process of commitment building is necessary for the success of
participatory institutions.
State actors (politicians and bureaucrats) and ordinary citizens should be motivated to
support, take part in, and respect participatory processes. Without the motivation and
commitment, polices are unlikely to be empowered and participatory.
Taking a realistic view of the motivations of state actors, Abers (n.d., 2000) argues that
political will is not enough. Reform efforts of progressive state actors create political and
practical burdens that, more often than not, they cannot withstand. Politically, the
attempt to transfer power to a forum, where ordinary citizens can make decisions, means
taking power away from those that have it and who also possess the resources and ability
to resist such change. Practical problems also arise in participatory process especially
when the state administration pushing it is inefficient and lack funding. “Participatory
decision-making requires money to organize the process and financial, operational, and
legal capacity to implement its results”. Denden Alicias, July 20091
Participatory governance processes have mushroomed around the world but a number of
studies have already pointed out to the failures of sustaining the participatory projects and
in empowering ordinary citizens. In this article, I draw attention to a complicated set of
enabling factors for success in participatory governance. The insights and lessons here
are culled from the studies of Rebecca Abers on the internationally acclaimed
participatory budget policy in Porto Alegre, Brazil. With the rise of progressive political
parties in Southeast Asia, coupled with the introduction of participatory governance
spaces in conjunction with decentralization, the insights from Porto Alegre may be
helpful in thinking about local governance transformations in the region.
? A dual process of commitment building is necessary for the success of
participatory institutions.
State actors (politicians and bureaucrats) and ordinary citizens should be motivated to
support, take part in, and respect participatory processes. Without the motivation and
commitment, polices are unlikely to be empowered and participatory.
Taking a realistic view of the motivations of state actors, Abers (n.d., 2000) argues that
political will is not enough. Reform efforts of progressive state actors create political and
practical burdens that, more often than not, they cannot withstand. Politically, the
attempt to transfer power to a forum, where ordinary citizens can make decisions, means
taking power away from those that have it and who also possess the resources and ability
to resist such change. Practical problems also arise in participatory process especially
when the state administration pushing it is inefficient and lack funding. “Participatory
decision-making requires money to organize the process and financial, operational, and
legal capacity to implement its results”.
Denden Alicias, July 2009
Participatory governance processes have mushroomed around the world but a number of studies have already pointed out to the failures of sustaining the participatory projects and in empowering ordinary citizens. In this article, I draw attention to a complicated set of enabling factors for success in participatory governance. The insights and lessons here are culled from the studies of Rebecca Abers on the internationally acclaimed participatory budget policy in Porto Alegre, Brazil. With the rise of progressive political parties in Southeast Asia, coupled with the introduction of participatory governance spaces in conjunction with decentralization, the insights from Porto Alegre may be helpful in thinking about local governance transformations in the region.
- A dual process of commitment building is necessary for the success of participatory institutions.
State actors (politicians and bureaucrats) and ordinary citizens should be motivated to support, take part in, and respect participatory processes. Without the motivation and commitment, polices are unlikely to be empowered and participatory.
Taking a realistic view of the motivations of state actors, Abers (n.d., 2000) argues that political will is not enough. Reform efforts of progressive state actors create political and practical burdens that, more often than not, they cannot withstand. Politically, the attempt to transfer power to a forum, where ordinary citizens can make decisions, means taking power away from those that have it and who also possess the resources and ability to resist such change. Practical problems also arise in participatory process especially when the state administration pushing it is inefficient and lack funding. “Participatory decision-making requires money to organize the process and financial, operational, and legal capacity to implement its results”.
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