participatory democracy
Americannoun
Usage
What is participatory democracy? Participatory democracy happens when individual citizens of a democracy participate in the formation of policies and laws through consistent engagement. Participatory refers to something that involves active participation. Democracy is a form of government in which power is held by the people. If the people themselves vote directly on policies and laws, it is called a direct democracy. If they elect representatives to make laws and policies, it is called a representative democracy. (Most modern, Western-style democracies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, are forms of representative democracies.) The term participatory democracy refers to something somewhere in between: the people elect leaders but also play a role in forming policies. Participatory democracy is all about participation. Its goal is to ensure that all citizens, not just politicians, have a real say in the creation of the rules and programs that make up their government.
Etymology
Origin of participatory democracy
First recorded in 1965–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Organized networks connect cities on many topics, such as economic inequality, participatory democracy and peace-building, and responding to climate change is one of the most prominent.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2025
It is a cousin of the brand of highly participatory democracy practiced in many cities.
From Slate • Nov. 11, 2022
The judge said at the time that the “public interest in participatory democracy is paramount.”
From Washington Times • Apr. 22, 2022
The scene was one of participatory democracy, with debates and votes on propositions including how long the transitional government should last and what form it should take.
From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2021
Jefferson viewed participatory democracy as a positive force for the republic, a direct departure from Federalist views.
From Textbooks • Dec. 30, 2014
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
