https://technologyset.net/innovation-democracy/
Abstract
Innovation democracy is a new form of democracy that aims to improve democratic governance and citizenship by providing spaces for citizens to participate to public decision making and to resolve issues. It is a combination of four forms of participation such as deliberation; citizen representation; digital engagement; and direct voting. These innovations are frequently inspired by social movements and they take a broad definition of citizenship to cover all. They also share a common purpose of strengthening trust in institutions of government. They respond to the increasing discontent with public policy, and a lack confidence in the existing structures and mechanisms of representation. They are designed to tackle an array of public issues and to defend diverse types of values, from environmental protection to racial justice. They can be triggered in many ways, ranging from resentment over injustices in society to globalization challenges.
These new forms, although they may have their genesis in particular imaginaries of movement are not necessarily indicative of radical changes in the nature of democracy itself. They can, for instance, be seen as a bid to restore the legitimacy of existing institutions by showing that they can effectively respond to popular demands like the one where a concerted effort was successful in addressing the issue of water shortage in Niger. They can also be interpreted as attempts to foster co-operative business models or solidarity economies, like the policies adopted by Barcelona en Comu.