How Municipalities Can Enhance Citizen Participation? – Exploring the Views of Participants and Non-Participants

Authors

  • Anni Jäntti Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Finland
  • Kaisa Kurkela Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v25i1.7126

Keywords:

citizen participation, local government, municipalities, public administration

Abstract

In this study, we scrutinise how municipalities can enhance citizen participation as arenas for local democracy. We combine the aspects of institutional structures with citizens’ expectations and viewpoints by analysing citizens’ views on the barriers to and catalysts for participation. We outline the possibilities and map the role of municipalities in enhancing citizen participation. This qualitative study utilises empirical data consisting of 160 essays written by university students. In their essays, students reflect on their roles as participants and think about possible obstacles to participation. The data is analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. In the analysis, three categories were identified to illustrate and interpret the societal, personal and instrumental-processual factors that affect citizens’ willingness and abilities to participate at the local level. Municipalities can easily address the instrumental-processual factors, whereas affecting societal and personal factors is more difficult. The role of municipalities in enhancing citizen participation is thus restricted, yet important.

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Author Biographies

Anni Jäntti, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Finland

Anni Jäntti (Ph.D) is a post-doctoral research fellow at Tampere University. Her research focuses on local government reforms, the role and tasks of municipalities, local self-government and citizen participation.

Kaisa Kurkela, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Finland

Kaisa Kurkela (MSc) is a doctoral candidate at Tampere University. Her research focuses on issues of citizen participation at the local level and the institutionalisation of citizen participation.

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Published

2021-03-15

How to Cite

Jäntti, A., & Kurkela, K. (2021). How Municipalities Can Enhance Citizen Participation? – Exploring the Views of Participants and Non-Participants. Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration, 25(1), 23–42. https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v25i1.7126

Issue

Section

Original Articles

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