Participative democracy. Does democracy needs active citizens?

Abstract

The article shows basic characteristics of participative democracy. First part is devoted to its theoretical foundations that are derived from its criticism of liberalism and parliamentary democracy. Using the case study of Germany the article explores how this model functions in the context of industrial companies. In the next part the article discusses the new system of participatory decision-making on city budgeting in Brazil. In the last part the author explores the relationship between contemporary modes of communication and principles of participatory democracy, and criticism that this model of democracy faces.

Keywords

• participatory democracy
• Germany
• Brazil
• participatory decision-making