The Democracy Initiative commissioned a series of case studies to help us further explore the relationship between power and participation. Each case study focuses on a particular public policy decision in order to help us to understand how decisions are negotiated, compromises are made and why policy alternatives are vetoed. They also provide insights into the potential for citizens, particularly those who currently hold the least power, to be able to collectively influence decision-making processes and outcomes.
Aim and objectives The overall aims of each case study were:
- To understand how a particular public policy decision was arrived at.
- To understand the opportunities which currently exist for ordinary citizens to engage in the process.
The specific objectives were:
- To identify the different actors who had an interest in and/or an influence on the decision.
- To investigate how the different actors exerted power and influence, which of these were most and least influential, and why.
- To investigate which stakeholders and interests were invited and not invited to contribute views to the decision-making process, how they were expected to contribute and the rationale for inviting these groups.
- To establish what sources of evidence were used, and not used, in making the decision.
- To investigate partnerships, networks and alliances which may have been formed to exert greater influence.
In order to achieve this, each case study explored:
- The inter-relationships between those with power including actors from the global to the local, and from the business sector, the media, civil society, individual citizens, as well as those from the political sphere.
- The various actors and the methods and processes applied to influence public decision making.
- The spaces that exist to enable participation – from the local to the global, and from closed to created spaces.
- The levers and potential for citizens/civil society organisations to influence, particularly those whose voices are least likely to be heard.
We commissioned Rand Europe, Democratic Audit, IPPR and AccountAbility to produce one case study each. These case studies are documented together along with an essay on recurring themes from the cases. To download this publication please click here.