Deliberative Democracy in the Netherlands: The G1000 Groningen put in Perspective

In this thesis the development of one specific deliberative form of citizen participation (the G1000 Groningen) in the Netherlands is put in to its historic-political context. The main question is as follows: to what extent can a 'mini-public’ like the G1000 Groningen improve local democracy by proposing a change in the relationship between citizens and local government? It is explained that the G1000 organization tried to foster the bond between the Stadjers of Groningen by organizing the event without too much focus on its (political) results. The author characterizes the type of citizen participation found in the G1000 Groningen as one in which self-reliance is very important, in contrast to forms of citizenship found in the G1000 Amersfoort and G1000 Belgium in which the political character of of citizenship was emphasized. By doing so, the G1000 Groningen showed that there is more to democracy than having direct political influence as sometimes is argued for in the media. It...Show moreIn this thesis the development of one specific deliberative form of citizen participation (the G1000 Groningen) in the Netherlands is put in to its historic-political context. The main question is as follows: to what extent can a 'mini-public’ like the G1000 Groningen improve local democracy by proposing a change in the relationship between citizens and local government? It is explained that the G1000 organization tried to foster the bond between the Stadjers of Groningen by organizing the event without too much focus on its (political) results. The author characterizes the type of citizen participation found in the G1000 Groningen as one in which self-reliance is very important, in contrast to forms of citizenship found in the G1000 Amersfoort and G1000 Belgium in which the political character of of citizenship was emphasized. By doing so, the G1000 Groningen showed that there is more to democracy than having direct political influence as sometimes is argued for in the media. It showed that genuine participation in the process in which decisions are made is just as important. Only in such circumstances, it is possible to really relate yourself to your fellow citizens and be really part of a democratic community.Show less

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Deliberative Democracy in the Netherlands: The G1000 Groningen put in Perspective