scholarly journals ‘Answer in any way you want’: Discursive tensions in conversations of a citizen participation process

2021 ◽  
pp. 146144562110177
Author(s):  
Maria Sjögren

This paper contributes to empirical knowledge of citizen participation as a communicative event, by analyzing discursive tensions in interviews between civil servants and citizen-parents, that are part of a participatory process on how to mitigate violence in a suburban area in Sweden. Citizen participation events are increasingly initiated by public institutions in Western societies. Research, however, shows that goals of participatory processes often conflict with formal decision-making structures and institutional boundaries. Yet, how such tensions play out on the level of interaction is little researched. This study therefore analyzes discursive practices deployed by civil servants and how these construct characteristic tensions for the interviews. Three practices are identified: (1) pursuing the initial question, (2) cueing an institutional frame, and (3) epistemic positioning of the parents. These practices, being guided by an institutional agenda, create tensions both to the parents’ lifeworld and for the ideals of the participatory method itself.

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Bleijenberg ◽  
Noëlle Aarts ◽  
Reint Jan Renes

A comparative case study into the meaning of conversations between citizens and government on the course and outcome of local participation processes Although the importance of conversations for citizen participation is widely recognized, there is still little insight into the meaning of conversations for participatory processes. This comparative case study provides insight into the discursive patterns that characterize the conversations between citizens, civil servants and other stakeholders in two participatory processes in different municipalities. Our framing-analysis shows how different discursive patterns develop in interaction and how these patterns effect the course and outcome in both participation processes. The results provide insight in how experiences of previous events influence the discursive patterns that participants construct in interaction. It is concluded that in both cases not the nature of the issue, but the way it was discussed and how participants framed this was crucial for the course and outcome of the participation process.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair Gammage

For the past decade the EU has been preparing to end its tradition of preferential and partially reciprocal trade with the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries. With the expiry of trade preferences in 2007 under the Cotonou Agreement, these trade partners have agreed to negotiate Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) and trade on reciprocal terms, in a bid to preserve their special relationship. A Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) was commissioned by the EU to engage stakeholders in discussion about the real and potential challenges of the new trade regime facing ACP countries. This paper examines the participatory process of the EPA negotiations, in particular the Sustainability Impact Assessment, through the lens of country ownership and deliberative democracy. Discussion of the participation process will be twofold: analysing whether the issues raised in the public sphere are reflected in the CARIFORUM-EC EPA, and the extent to which the SIA is legitimised through public participation.


Tripodos ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 89-110
Author(s):  
María Pilar Paricio ◽  
Teresa Bruno-Carlos ◽  
Hugo Aznar

La información y la comunicación de las instituciones públicas es un deber hacia la ciudadanía y un derecho de la misma. Las legislaciones sobre transparencia y participación han propiciado la creación de portales que deben ser herramien­tas clave en el desarrollo de modelos de relaciones públicas bidireccionales que faciliten la participación ciudada­na. La investigación analiza los portales de transparencia y participación de los ayuntamientos de la Comunidad Valen­ciana con objeto de comprobar si po­tencian el diálogo y la participación. Se realiza un análisis de contenido catego­rial siguiendo la metodología del Mapa Infoparticipa, estableciendo variables de análisis y categorías focalizados en los indicadores relacionados con la bidirec­cionalidad en transparencia y participa­ción. Se observa un cumplimiento bajo tanto en indicadores unidireccionales (67% suspenden) como bidireccionales (56% suspenden). Se concluye una con­vivencia de modelos unidireccionales y bidireccionales de relaciones públicas en los ayuntamientos valencianos respecto a la transparencia y participación ciuda­dana. El tamaño del municipio afecta al cumplimiento de indicadores tanto uni­direccionales como bidireccionales. En relación a los bidireccionales, el fomento de la participación es superior al de la trasparencia en los municipios de mayor tamaño, lo que podría relacionarse con una mayor presencia de modelos bidirec­cionales. Bidirectional Models of Public Relations and Municipal Communication. Analysis of the Portals of Transparency and Citizen Participation in the Municipalities of More Than 10,000 Inhabitants of the Valencian CommunityInformation and communication from public institutions is a duty towards ci­tizenship and also a citizenship right. Legislation on transparency and partici­pation has led to the creation of portals that should be key tools in the develo­pment of bidirectional public relations models that facilitate citizens’ partici­pation. The research analyzes the por­tals of transparency and participation of the city councils of the Valencian Com­munity in order to probe whether they enhance dialogue and participation. An analysis of categorical content is carried out following the methodology of Mapa Infoparticipa, establishing variables of analysis and categories focused on the indicators related to bidirectionality in transparency and citizens’ partici­pation. Compliance is observed under both unidirectional (67% fail to com­ply) and bidirectional (56% fail to com­ply) indicators. We conclude that there is a coexistence between unidirectional and bidirectional models of public rela­tions in the Valencian city councils, and transparency and citizen participation. The size of the municipality affects the compliance of both unidirectional and bidirectional indicators. With regard to bidirectional indicators, the promotion of participation is higher than that of transparency in larger municipalities, which could be related to a greater pre­sence of bidirectional models.Palabras clave: modelos relaciones pú­blicas, comunicación municipal, trans­parencia, participación, web.Key words: public relations models, mu­nicipal communication, transparency, participation, web.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Muhammad Misbahul Huda

Abstract: The focus of this research is (a) describing the dimensions of the text, (b) describing discursive practices, (c) describing socio-cultural praxis, and assumptions of social irregularities through obstacles and how to overcome these obstacles, based on Kompas 11 May 2020 Edition. with the title "Difference in Fate: THR PNS Liquided This Week, THR Labor Delayed and Installed. This type of research uses library research, while data collection uses documentation, and Norman Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (AWK) as a tool for analysis. Based on the research, the following results were obtained: (a) the dimensions of the text. The text in the Kompas report seems to speak of a clear caste difference between civil servants and workers. (b) dimensions of discursive practice. Besides the existence of Covid-19, Circular Letter about the THR of workers that can be postponed or paid in installments and the news about the THR PNS immediately disbursed, explicitly indicates that there are social irregularities that occur. (c) socio-cultural praxis dimensions. With this news, it triggers the reaction of the workers / laborers to launch a demonstration, either through the leadership of workers throughout Indonesia or even there will be a demonstration going down. While the assumptions of social irregularities can be seen in the inequality and discrimination of workers / laborers caused by the government. The government seems to favor the civil servants and company owners. This can be prevented by ensuring that the THR of workers is controlled up to the hands of the workers, and that the Circular Letter will instead be used as a weapon for company owners so that they do not meet the workers' THR, this requires the supervision of the government.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Ferreira ◽  
Ana Barreira ◽  
Luís Loures ◽  
Dulce Antunes ◽  
Thomas Panagopoulos

Cities are facing a broad range of social and environmental challenges due to the current pressure of global urbanization. Nature-based solutions aim to utilize green infrastructure to improve people’s health and wellbeing. The design of urban environments must embrace the individual ideals of citizens and stakeholders which can only be achieved if effective methods of communication, involvement, and feedback are ensured. Such a procedure creates trust during its implementation, helping to take ownership and stewardship of processes and sites. This systematic literature review explores the current state of the art regarding citizen and stakeholder participation in nature-based solutions (NBS). The search on the SCOPUS database identified 142 papers in total that met the inclusion criteria. The participation analysis was separated in two areas: (a) analysis of perceptions, preferences, and perspectives of citizens and stakeholders, and (b) analysis of the participation process, including challenges and opportunities, motivations, methods and frameworks, and collaborative governance. The results revealed that stakeholder and citizen participation or collaboration in nature-based solutions is increasingly recognized as promising; however, research in several related domains is still lacking.


2003 ◽  
Vol 05 (03) ◽  
pp. 365-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivanand Balram ◽  
Suzana Dragicevic ◽  
Thomas Meredith

Environmental problems have spatial origins and consequences. Hence, effective stakeholder participation demands the integration of comprehensive facilities for understanding the spatial components that affect environmental change. This study develops the Collaborative Spatial Delphi (CSD) methodology to embed spatial thinking, conceptualise the dynamic mechanisms, and assess the effectiveness of the resulting participatory process. The CSD uses a collaborative geographic information system (GIS) and the Delphi procedure in a descriptive decision-making framework that integrates diverse stakeholder knowledge for spatial awareness, understanding, and negotiated outcomes. The CSD synthesises relevant theories to conceptualise the participation mechanisms, and an application of the methodology to urban green spaces planning in Montreal, Canada is presented. The results suggest that a deficiency in technical background is not a barrier to effective use of spatial technology in participatory planning. The methodology enhanced many spatial facets of the participation process and was evaluated as effective in achieving negotiated outcomes.


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