Introduction : evaluating participatory democracy -- Society and the local state : toward a relational framework -- The emergence of local democracy in Brazil -- Assessing the impact of participatory budgeting -- Representation by design -- Making space for civil society -- Conclusion : bootstrapping participatory democracy
Summary
Despite increasing interest in how involvement in local government can improve governance and lead to civic renewal, questions remain about participation's real impact. This book investigates participatory budgeting--a mainstay now of World Bank, UNDP, and USAID development programs--to ask whether its reforms truly make a difference in deepening democracy and empowering civil society. Looking closely at eight cities in Brazil, comparing those that carried out participatory budgeting reforms between 1997 and 2000 with those that did not, the authors examine whether and how institutional reforms
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-195) and index
