Online bibliography on citizen participation and local governance

This annotated bibliography reviews a broad selection of literature on the subject of citizen participation and local governance, including theoretical debates and case studies, and suggests approaches for both policy makers and practitioners. It is divided into four sections, preceded by an introductory overview. The first section includes resources on current theoretical concepts and debates on 'citizenship' and 'participation' especially in the context of decentralisation. The second section brings together reports, articles, workshop write-ups, manuals and academic research on the different strategies and mechanisms that citizens are using around the world in order to forge new links with the state and participate in local governance. The third section reviews literature on the responsiveness of local government to citizen demands and participation. Here such state-led initiatives as participatory budgeting, and deliberative forums are analysed. Section Four addresses the question of which conditions are necessary to promote meaningful space for democratic social change at the local level, and which are more likely to re-enforce patterns of political and social inequality. The literature is drawn from experiences across the globe but features especially India, the Philippines, Mexico, UK, USA, Brazil and Bolivia.