Katsaus demokratiaa ja osallisuutta käsittelevän keskustelun nykytilaan

Preface

Voting and active resident participation in the social debate are cornerstones of Western democracy. Recent years have seen a decline in voting and in participation in traditional political party activities. Instead, new forms of civic participation have come about. Something called city activism or urban activism, namely informal cooperation between residents on their own terms, has become more and more common. This can be seen, for example, in various kinds of spontaneous urban district events, increasing exchange of services between residents, and a multitude of network-based activities between resident to the benefit of a better city.

The present study report views the above-mentioned changes in civic participation. The perspective is, on one hand, declining voting rates and inequality in voting and the new information channels that influence voting. On the other hand, it is about new features in civic participation and local democracy, about urban activism and various official channels for inclusion such as citizens’ councils and participatory budgeting. A third main theme is the interaction between the city organisation and the residents, and the issue of expertise ownership. In this context, an overview is also made of present practices that stimulate civic participation.

Large organisational reform is currently underway in the governing bodies of the City of Helsinki. One of the aims is to improve democratic policy-making and its efficiency, enhance civic initiative, and strengthen civic inclusion and interaction practices. The reform challenges the offices and departments of the city to view the participation and interaction of residents in a new way. To strengthen resident initiatives, the City is developing a new model for participation and interaction. The present study report provides a large package of information for elaborating the new model.

Helsinki, November 2016
Katja Vilkama
Research Director

Publication Information

Idström, A. (2016), Katsaus demokratiaa ja osallisuutta käsittelevän keskustelun nykytilaan, Study Reports 2016/13, City of Helsinki Urban Facts.