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citizen participation

May 15, 2026

Participation without power in Iraqi Kurdistan

Dana Sofi Dana Sofi argues that public participation in Iraqi Kurdistan has expanded in form but remained limited in influence. His research shows that new civic forums increased visibility, access and local trust, yet failed to make political institutions more responsive or redistribute power from elites to citizens Read more

April 8, 2026

🎈 Why governments need to persuade young people that democracy is just and fair

Kevin Meyvaert Young people in Europe and, by extension, the West, are increasingly disengaging from electoral politics. Academic studies are still trying to understand the phenomenon. But Kevin Meyvaert argues that without a moral narrative of justice and fairness, we will never succeed in reconnecting all citizens to democratic life Read more

February 6, 2026

🎈 How public consultations can spark local innovation

Valesca Lima Valesca Lima argues that Irish local authorities tend to treat public participation as a formal administrative requirement. However, by moving beyond performative box-ticking and toward genuine co-design, we can bridge the trust gap. True engagement doesn't just legitimise decisions; it sparks the local innovation our cities desperately need Read more

December 30, 2025

🎈 Why elected elites might reach for democratic innovations

Şule Yaylacı Elected politicians face rising mistrust, gridlock, and citizen disengagement. In their research, Şule Yaylaci, Edana Beauvais and Mark E. Warren show how democratic innovations can help elites tackle inclusion gaps, agenda-setting dilemmas, and decision-making deadlocks. The authors also highlight the risks of co-optation and 'democracy washing' Read more

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