Citizen Participation

“A Ladder of Citizen Participation”
(Arnstein, 1969)

 

What is citizen participation?

 

"The idea of citizen participation is a little like eating spinach; no one is against it in principle because it is good for you." (Arnstein, S. 1969).

 

Citizen participation is a categorical term for citizen power. It is the redistribution of power that enables the have-not citizens, presently excluded from the political and economical process, to be deliberately included in the future. These people join in determining how information is shared, goals and policies are set, tax resources are allocated, programs are operated and benefits like contracts and patronage are parcelled out. Basically, participation is the means by which individuals can induce significant social reform which enables them to share in the benefits of the affluent society.

 

Eight Rungs of a Ladder of Citizen Participation

 

 

Figure 2 displays the eight different forms of citizen participation, with each rung corresponding to the extent of citizen power in determining the end product.

 

1. Manipulation - Advisory committees and boards educate and engineer the support of the public

2. Therapy - The 'powerful' educating and influencing the 'powerless'

3. Informing - Informing citizens on their rights, responsibilities and obligations

4. Consultation - Inviting citizens' opinions

5. Placation - Citizens' begin to have some degree of influence

6. Participation - Power is redistributed through negotiation between citizens and power holders

7. Delegated Power - Citizens may achieve dominant decision-making authority

8. Citizen Control - Participants or residents can govern a program solely