participatory theory: an overview...

the theory of participatory democracy is built round the central assertion that individuals and their institutions cannot be considered in isolation from one another. the existence of representative institutions at national level is not sufficient for democracy; for maximum participation by all the people at that level socialisation, or 'social training,' for democracy must take place in other spheres in order that the necessary individual attitudes and psychological qualities can be developed. this development takes place through the process of participation itself. the major function of participation in the theory of participatory democracy is therefore an educative one, educative in the very widest sense, including both the psychological aspect and the gaining of practice in democratic skills and procedures. thus there is no special problem about the stability of a participatory system; it is self-sustaining through the educative impact of the participatory process. participation develops and fosters the very qualities necessary for it; the more individuals participate the better able they become to do so. subsidiary hypotheses about participation are that it has an integrative effect and that it aids the acceptance of collective decisions.

therefore, for a democratic polity to exist it is necessary for a participatory society to exist, i.e. a society where all political systems have been democratised and socialisation through participation can take place in all areas. the most important area is industry; most individuals spend a great deal of their lifetime at work and the business of the workplace provides an education in the management of collective affairs that it is difficult to parallel elsewhere. the second aspect of the theory of participatory democracy is that spheres such as industry should be seen as political systems in their own right, offering areas of participation additional to the national level. if individuals are to exercise the maximum amount of control over their own lives and environment then authority structures in these areas must be so organised that they can participate in decision making. a further reason for the central place of industry in the theory relates to the substantive measure of economic equality required to give the individual the independence and security necessary for (equal) participation; the democratising of industrial authority structures, abolishing the permanent distinction between 'managers' and 'men' would mean a large step toward meeting this condition// carole pateman, participation and democratic theory