Partycypacyjny model samorządu terytorialnego

Abstract

The aim of the following article is to review and assess current forms of participation in local self-government, and to recommend new forms of citizens’ activity, which could be a remedy to passive and mandatory forms. Citizens’ activity in the process of co-governing and in representative bodies is an antidote to the shortage of forms of direct democracy, including a deliberative democracy. The greatest weakness in the functioning of self-governments seems to be the reluctance on the part of the authorities to engage citizens in the process of co-governing, which manifests itself as a lack of conception and offer of cooperation, distrust of institutions of the third sector and convictions about their being unprofessional, pretentious and overly demanding.