Participation and Democratic Renewal: from ‘instrumental’ to ‘communicative rationality’?

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Abstract
English: The renewal of local democracy was quickly established as a key priority by the Labour government in the UK following their election in May 1997, and this is seen as requiring an extension of democratic practice to foster more direct forms of participation. Traditional perspectives on the policy process embody a ‘technocratic’ conception of decision making which disempowers citizens. The expansion of ‘instrumental rationality’ in modern society has had profoundly anti-democratic implications, creating obstacles to citizen participation through the bureaucratisation of authority, professional and managerial power and expertise. ‘Communicative rationality’ provides an alternative basis for an institutional framework to promote effective citizen participation but genuine citizen empowerment is likely to require a radical approach which goes beyond institutional reform.

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