Participative democracy is new phenomena in post communism countries, where were created specific model of democracy- combination of Western democratic institution and procedure and political culture developed on the base of communism and Turkish Imperium. Here participation is more declarative and stimulated by some NGO’s than tradition and usual political practice.
In this book are elaborated different forms of participation at national and local level, indirect and direct. The content is based on analysis of relevant legislation, presentation of former research results and conducted research by author.
Table of Contents
PART I
PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY AT NATIONAL LEVEL
1. Concepts:
2. Context
2.1. Development and Features of the Party System
2.2. Legal Framework to Ensure and Protect Civil and Political Rights
2.3. Forms of direct democracy
3. Who and How Participate
3.1. Election process, political parties and inclusion
3.2. The Assembly and civil participation
3.3. Direct Democracy and Civic Inclusion
3.4. Civil society and participation
3.5. Rule of law and inclusion
4. Concluding considerations for participative democracy at national level
PART II
PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY AT LOCAL LEVEL
1. Introduction
2. Mayor - Municipal Council Relation
3. Local Public Policy-Making
4. Neighbourhood Units
5. Civil Society and Local Government
6. Public Information by Local Government Units
7. Satisfaction of Citizens with the Decentralization Process and Services They Receive from the Municipality
8. “Power Sharing” between Municipality Ethnic Communities for Greater Representation of Minority Communities (Minority Communities at the Local Level
9. Conclusions and recommendations for citizens participation at local level
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the evolution and current state of participative democracy in the Republic of Macedonia, specifically analyzing the intersection of Western democratic procedures and the local political culture rooted in the post-communist transition. The primary research objective is to investigate the forms of citizen participation—both direct and indirect—at the national and local levels, identifying barriers to inclusion and evaluating the effectiveness of institutional and legal frameworks in fostering a genuinely democratic society.
- Analysis of the political transition and the multi-party system dynamics in Macedonia.
- Evaluation of constitutional and legal guarantees for civil and political rights.
- Investigation into citizen participation levels, voter turnout, and political party engagement.
- Assessment of the multiethnic context and mechanisms for power sharing and minority representation.
- Review of the effectiveness of local self-government, public information, and decentralization processes.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Election process, political parties and inclusion
At the early 2008 general elections, there were 1 779 116 registered voters, out of which 1 015 164 voted at the elections (57.06%)20, however, according to research results, 79.5% of the respondents stated they had voted at the last general elections. Although there are discrepancies in the research results compared to the official data (+22%), the results are indicative to see the structure of voters on several grounds, since officially it is possible to keep records only of the total number of voters who voted, as well as their distribution per polling stations.
In political theory, both high and low level of turnout at polls at elections is treated equally. If turnout is low, it implies lack of interest in the political process or expressed dissatisfaction from activities undertaken by parties. If the turnout is high, this may be interpreted as giving large significance to government in society or great faith in changes that political parties might bring. Exclusion of certain voters within the election process is not assessed by measuring level of turnout at elections. It is rather assessed in the aspect of equal legal and procedural possibility allowed by the state in the voting process. The survey undertaken concludes that citizens did not have problems with distance to election polls or with any other type of limitation. The abovementioned text takes into account some serious types of violation of the right to vote and the election process, which have been customary for most election cycles in the country. A large number of irregularities have been eliminated at the last 2009 local and presidential elections and they were assessed to have been fair and democratic with insignificant incidents.
Summary of Chapters
Concepts: Defines a democratic political system based on transparency, inter-institutional control, quality services, and high citizen participation.
Context: Details the transition from a one-party to a multi-party system in Macedonia, including the legislative framework for parties and the influence of electoral cycles.
Who and How Participate: Analyzes the dynamics of voter turnout, citizen apathy, and the influence of political parties on the political agenda.
Concluding considerations for participative democracy at national level: Summarizes findings on procedural barriers and the need for government reform in the judicial and electoral systems.
Introduction: Outlines the goals of decentralization, focusing on transparency, municipal authority competencies, and democratic local policy-making.
Mayor - Municipal Council Relation: Explores the administrative dynamics between mayors and municipal councils, highlighting the necessity for professionalizing the council chair role.
Local Public Policy-Making: Discusses the mechanisms of budget preparation and the role of key players in annual municipal programming.
Neighbourhood Units: Examines the functionality of local neighbourhood units as mediators between citizens and the municipality and their current marginalization.
Civil Society and Local Government: Investigates the role of NGOs in the democratic process and the necessity for clear partnership criteria.
Public Information by Local Government Units: Reviews the legal obligation for public information and the current methods used by municipalities to inform citizens.
Satisfaction of Citizens with the Decentralization Process and Services They Receive from the Municipality: Assesses public opinion on decentralization impacts and municipal service quality.
“Power Sharing” between Municipality Ethnic Communities for Greater Representation of Minority Communities (Minority Communities at the Local Level: Discusses the consensual model and minority representation mechanisms at the local level.
Conclusions and recommendations for citizens participation at local level: Provides actionable recommendations for improving local democratic participation and municipal performance.
Keywords
Participative democracy, Republic of Macedonia, post-communist transition, decentralization, electoral process, civil society, political parties, Rule of law, local self-government, minority representation, political corruption, conflict of interest, citizen participation, political culture, judicial reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The book focuses on the emergence and development of participative democracy within transition countries, using the Republic of Macedonia as a specific case study to analyze political institutions, civic engagement, and the transition toward democratic practices.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study covers the political party system, constitutional and legal frameworks, citizen participation in elections and policy-making, the role of civil society, the multiethnic context of Macedonian democracy, and local governance.
What is the primary research question?
The research explores how the specific Macedonian democratic model—a combination of Western institutions and a unique post-communist political culture—affects the intensity and quality of citizen participation at both national and local levels.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a comprehensive approach involving an analysis of relevant legislation, a presentation of existing secondary research findings, and original empirical research conducted through surveys and interviews.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body is divided into two parts: the national level, which analyzes electoral processes, legal frameworks, and political inclusion; and the local level, which examines mayor-council relations, local policy-making, neighbourhood units, and civil society interactions.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as participative democracy, transition, decentralization, electoral processes, civil society, political parties, and local self-government.
What does the book conclude about the "Russian Doll" phenomenon in a multiethnic context?
The author identifies this as a complex situation where a community that is a minority at the national level may be a majority at the local level, requiring democratic management and equitable power-sharing mechanisms to ensure all groups are represented.
How does the author evaluate the state of corruption and the rule of law in Macedonia?
The text suggests that the society is highly politicized, leading to potential exclusion for those without political connections. It highlights the persistence of corruption, the public's low trust in the judiciary, and the need for significant legislative and institutional reforms.
What is the significance of the findings regarding "neighbourhood units"?
The research finds that while neighbourhood units are meant to be crucial mediators between the local government and citizens, they are currently marginalized due to a lack of legal status, funding, and professional staff.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jovan Ananiev (Autor:in), 2014, Participative democracy in transition countries. The Macedonian case, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/286601
