What type of participation processes do local politicians and citizens prefer? In a context where citizen participation is here to stay, the question is often not so much whether citizens participate in policymaking, but how. However, little research has systematically compared which aspects of participation processes are preferred by citizens versus politicians, and to what extent these preferences overlap or differ between the two groups.
By using a conjoint experimental design, we studied which specific forms of participation are preferred by local politicians and citizens. In spring 2024, as part of the Basismonitor Publieke Ambtsdragers, we conducted this experiment among local council members, aldermen, and mayors. In autumn 2024, thanks to a voucher granted by the Kennisknooppunt Participatie, we were able to repeat this study among citizens. A comparison of the views of both groups can be found in the research report, authored by REDRESS-members Take Sipma and Charlotte Wagenaar, together with Roos Geurts of Invior Full Contact.
Our findings show differences between the preferences of residents and local officeholders, but also relevant similarities. Hybrid forms of participation, combining a citizens’ assembly with a vote, can count on support from both groups and would lend themselves well to further real-world experimentation. Such forms make it possible to combine the exchange of arguments — valued especially by politicians — with the opportunity for all residents to have input, which residents themselves particularly value.
The full report can be read here (in Dutch).
