Participatory democracy at the local level

A case study analyzing efforts in Tunisia to decentralize political processes and strengthen direct participation based on legal reforms.

In contemporary democracies, the local level often appears to be the most relevant for promoting citizen participation in public affairs. The notion of “local participatory democracy” is also often associated, as is the case in Tunisia, with that of “good governance” or “open governance.” Several levels of participation by local populations can be distinguished, whether it involves simple public information, consultation on local projects (particularly in terms of development and town planning), or true co-decision, as illustrated by the local decision-making referendum.

This research analyzes the legal framework of Tunisia in regard to local participatory democracy. It also provides a comparison to the participatory legal framework in a number of other countries, including Portugal, Bulgaria, France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Source: Democracy Reporting International
Language: French

Year of publication: 2023