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.
One of the values I talk about is a multiracial, inclusive, participatory democracy.
From Slate • Oct. 2, 2024
“A fundamental part of participatory democracy is to have people who genuinely care as opposed to people who are paid to gather signatures at the expense of truly articulating what the measure is,” Bryan said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2023
The judge said at the time that the “public interest in participatory democracy is paramount.”
From Washington Times • Apr. 22, 2022
“A people permanently in search of participatory democracy who, at the same time, expects everything of their monarch.”
From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2022
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.
