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Participatory Budgeting in Europe: Potentials and Challenges

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  • YVES SINTOMER
  • CARSTEN HERZBERG
  • ANJA RÖCKE

Abstract

The ‘transfer’ of participatory budgeting from Brazil to Europe has been a highly differentiated process. In Porto Alegre, this innovative methodology enabled democratization and social justice to be articulated. In Europe, participatory budgeting relies on multiple procedures, and it is therefore necessary to give a clear methodological definition of it so that cases can be coherently compared and ideal‐types constructed to understand the variety of concrete experiments. The six ideal‐types we propose (Porto Alegre adapted for Europe; representation of organized interests; community funds at the local and city level; the public/private negotiating table; consultation on public finances; proximity participation) show striking differences that are highly influenced by existing participatory traditions. It is, above all, with the models Porto Alegre adapted for Europe and community funds that an ‘empowered participatory governance’ can develop and that a fourth power, beyond the three classical ones, is developing — that of the citizenry when it directly (or through delegates) assumes a decision‐making power. However, other models have their strengths, too, for example with regard to the reform of public administration which is a critical aspect in the search for ‘another possible world’. Résumé Le ‘transfert’ du budget participatif du Brésil à l'Europe s'est révélé un processus très différencié. A Porto Alegre, cette méthodologie novatrice a permis d'intégrer démocratisation et justice sociale. En Europe, comme le budget participatif s'appuie sur de nombreuses procédures, il faut lui donner une définition méthodologique claire afin de pouvoir comparer correctement les cas et élaborer des idéaltypes pour comprendre la variété des expériences concrètes. Cet article propose six idéaltypes : Porto Alegre adaptéà l'Europe, Représentation des intérêts organisés, Fonds communautaires au niveau local et municipal, Table de négociations public‐privé, Consultation sur les finances publiques, Participation de proximité. Tous présentent des divergences frappantes, fortement influencées par les traditions participatives en place. C'est surtout avec les modèles Porto Alegre adaptéà l'Europe et Fonds communautaires que peut se déployer une ‘gouvernance participative dotée de pouvoirs’ et que se développe un quatrième pouvoir, au‐delà des trois autres classiques : celui de l'ensemble des citoyens exerçant directement (ou via des délégués) un pouvoir décisionnel. Toutefois, d'autres modèles ont leurs atouts également, par exemple vis‐à‐vis de la réforme de l'administration publique donc d'un aspect crucial dans la quête d'un ‘autre monde possible’.

Suggested Citation

  • Yves Sintomer & Carsten Herzberg & Anja Röcke, 2008. "Participatory Budgeting in Europe: Potentials and Challenges," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 164-178, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:32:y:2008:i:1:p:164-178
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2008.00777.x
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    1. Leonardo Avritzer, 2006. "New Public Spheres in Brazil: Local Democracy and Deliberative Politics," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 623-637, September.
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