From Competition and Collusion to Consent-Based Collaboration: A Case Study of Local Democracy |
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Authors: | A. Georges L. Romme Jan Broekgaarden Carien Huijzer Annewiek Reijmer Rob A. I. van der Eyden |
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Affiliation: | 1. School of Industrial Engineering &2. Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands;3. Kring Besluitvorming Openbaar Bestuur, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Netherlands;4. The Sociocracy Group/Sociocratisch Centrum, Rotterdam, Netherlands |
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Abstract: | The high distrust in political institutions and a growing sense of powerlessness among many citizens suggest that prevailing democratic governance systems lack a capability for collective dialogue and learning. The key thesis here is that public governance systems can benefit from organizational arrangements informed by circular design. A case study conducted at a Dutch municipality illustrates how principles of circular design served to enhance the city council’s role of orchestrator of civil participation. This case also illustrates how a local democracy, which has long suffered from majority–minority ploys and voting schemes, can be transformed into a consent-based culture of collaboration. |
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Keywords: | Political trust local democracy civil participation informed consent circular design |
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