Reviving democracy: citizens at the heart of governance

This book is based on a two-year research study, using a variety of participatory techniques at local, regional and international levels in 47 countries of the Commonwealth, and involving 10,000 citizens. Citizens in these countries were asked: What is your view of a good society? To what extent does such a society exist today?  What roles are best played by citizens and what roles are best played by the state and other sectors in such a good society?  What would enable citizens to play their role in the development of society more effectively in future? The book initially sets out an overview of present day situation, describing the rise of civil society and social, economic and political trends. It then describes the logic and techniques of participatory research and how these relate to civil society; and reports on what citizens want and develops a model based on these findings. Factors are then highlighted that help or hinder the attainment of good society, and what governments, citizens and others can do to create a good society. The final chapter suggests further steps to be taken and the Commonwealth Foundations plans, which include attempting to facilitate a strong state and a strong civil society, a deepened democracy and democratic culture, and an enlarged role for citizens.