Politics, Participation and Power

Irish democracy is facing a crisis. Trust in public institutions, politicians and policy-making is at an all-time low. The collapse of the Irish economy and the nature of the political response have shattered many citizens' belief in the efficacy of politics. This book argues that meaningful public participation is central to the development of a new approach to democracy in Ireland. By reviewing the current state of public participation in Ireland across a range of policy areas and offering a critical examination of both the discourse and practice of participation as well as degrees of equality in opportunities for participation, the book highlights how many public policy processes are perceived to lack legitimacy, why these perceptions exist and how this can be addressed. Politics, Participation and Power offers an insightful account of the dynamics of participation and suggests why many citizens' experiences have been frustrating as well as transformative. It ultimately argues for a strengthening of the Irish public sphere. This book will be essential reading for students of politics, sociology, local development, public administration, public policy and spatial planning and offers important insights for those directly engaged in developing participation initiatives in Ireland.