Democracy and Democracy and Participation TheoryParticipation TheoryCarole PatemanCarole Pateman

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Emmanuel CabreraEmmanuel CabreraPolitical Economy of Political Economy of CitiesCitiesSpring 2011Spring 2011

• 1950/60s- Conservative/ Elite participation theory of democracy

• Elitist participation theorists of democracy

• Participatory democracy theorists

• Conclusion/ Remarks

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• Revisionist Elite participation project WW II and Cold War: political framework constricted Mass ‘participation’ linked with totalitarian regimes– not

Western democracies ‘Empirical’ evidence (voter apathy, totalitarian attitudes)

demonstrates the dangers of mass participation Concern with stability of the system and complexity of

industrial society and rise in bureaucratic administration– > Elite solution (Michels, Mosca, Pareto)

‘Classical theory” based on direct participation in need of “revision or outright rejection”– UNREALISTIC/ NORMATIVE

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• Theorists: Joseph Schumpeter, Robert Dahl, SartoriJoseph Schumpeter, Robert Dahl, Sartori• Citizens produce a government via voting in elections, but should leave politics to

political elites • Distrust of mass participation in politics, especially lower classes (totalitarian

tendencies (SartoriSartori), break democratic consensus DahlDahl) • Mass participation is not essential to democracy– representative government fits

realities of modern society and needs of the people and government. • Elite participation model is realistic and empirical method– classical participation

is unattainable • Political apathy not problematic, but functional– assures stability of the system,

minimizes conflict (SartoriSartori)• Pateman critique: Elite theorists critique of classic participation a ‘myth’– overlook

the broader social functions of democracy , practical not just prescriptive , obscured role that other organizations can play in participatory democracy

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• Preeminent participatory democracy theorist: Jean-Jacque Rousseau• Social inequality makes democracy unattainableSocial inequality makes democracy unattainable• Focus on non-industrial society (agrarian democracy)Focus on non-industrial society (agrarian democracy)• Participation performs an educative function Participation performs an educative function • Citizens become public citizens via direct participation in the laws.Citizens become public citizens via direct participation in the laws.• Fosters attachment of individuals to society and sense of belonging to Fosters attachment of individuals to society and sense of belonging to

“community”“community”• People are ruled by the laws they make for themselves (expression of People are ruled by the laws they make for themselves (expression of

General Will)General Will)• Preferably direct democracy but if representative democracy– citizens Preferably direct democracy but if representative democracy– citizens

should have substantial control over those who represent them and the should have substantial control over those who represent them and the lawslaws

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• John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill• Writing in England during mid 1800s (Industrialized context) Writing in England during mid 1800s (Industrialized context)

• Only participatory institutions foster an active, public minded citizensOnly participatory institutions foster an active, public minded citizens

• Local level where one learns democracyLocal level where one learns democracy

• Citizens become members of a greater community Citizens become members of a greater community

• G.D. ColeG.D. Cole• Modern industrialized context Modern industrialized context

• Society is a collection of political systems—not just politicalSociety is a collection of political systems—not just political

• Industry - > central role in gaining experience, cooperation Industry - > central role in gaining experience, cooperation

• Democratization of political systemsDemocratization of political systems

• Multiplier effect -> public citizens and educate for national politics Multiplier effect -> public citizens and educate for national politics

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• Carole Pateman• Periodic elections not healthy to democracy• Equal power, not just power• Maximize participation and enhance individual’s sense of political self-

efficacy • Development of democratic personality • 4 effects; political efficacy, sense of cooperation, commitment to

collective decisions, and development of democratic character

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Elite Participation Participatory Democracy Participation plays only a minimal role

Participation is an essential feature of democracy

Representative democracy Participatory democracy The focus is on political leaders The focus is on citizens

Participation is instrumental Participation is expressive

Participation has no social or educative function

Participation has a social and educative function

No relation between good government and participation

Participation is a way of ensuring good government

Mass participation is undesirable Mass Participation is desirable

Schumpeter, Dahl, Sartori Rousseau, J.S. Mill, Cole, Pateman

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ConclusionConclusion

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• Industry is one of the least democratic spaces • Is participation necessarily ‘educative’?• Participatory budgeting in NYC

SOURCES • Pateman, Carole. Participation and Democratic Theory

(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, l970).

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