engleski

Participation in local government decisions as the fundamental right of citizens

The purpose of this research is to improve the democratic processes on the local level in Croatia by detecting the extent to which citizens participate in the decision process initiated by the local authorities. A hypothesis is set up that citizens do not sufficiently use their right to political participation. This determines the main goal of this research paper in detecting why citizens do not exercise their right of participation in a set of possible modes, determining the reasons for such behavior in citizens’ participation. In order to achieve this objective and the purpose of the research, this work is divided into two main parts. In the first one the theories of motivation to political participation are explained. In the second one an insight in the cities administrations documentation is undertaken as well as a questionnaire to an appropriate number of citizens, finally presented as the research results. Democratic life and political participation as its functional dimension are the result of different social conditions and processes. The data in our research shows a few striking fea-tures of the Croatian democratic process in the light of political participation, with which the hypothesis that citizens do not sufficiently use their right to participation is proven. There is no interest in politics and public life, indicating a final loss of trust in local politicians. On the other hand people believe that they are not good enough informed about the political process-es and decisions made buy local governments. In consequence, a negative level of interest is present as well as a negative level of political efficacy. A strong majority of the people think that they have no influence on the local government. One of the major obstacles to participa-tion is seen by the people in the lack of resources, skills, information, time, and money. Partic-ipation is not only the instrument of democratic change but also has value in itself, and this can have many other positive and unexpected consequences.

political participation; political motivation; local government; Croa-tia; referendum; neighborhood council; proposal; written opinion; mayor meeting

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