Presentation

The purpose of this class is to present the characteristics of contemporary developments in participatory democracy in France and Europe, to develop students’ understanding of the associated issues at stake and to examine their scope. It aims to develop the following skills: Knowledge of the forms, methods, challenges, and implications of participatory democracy; understanding a set of specifications; being able to develop a service offer and defend it.

Recommended Prerequisite(s)

Students must have knowledge of public institutions, sociology of public action, and political sociology. They must master the techniques of documentary research, and of slideshow-based oral presentation.

Bibliography

• Blondiaux L., Le nouvel esprit de la démocratie. Actualité de la démocratie participative, Paris, Seuil, 2008.
• Blatrix C., La démocratie participative en représentation, Sociétés contemporaines, n° 74, p. 97-119, 2009.
• Callon M., Lascoumes P., Barthes Y., Agir dans un monde incertain, Paris, Seuil, 2001.
• Carrel M., Faire participer les habitants ? Citoyenneté et pouvoir d’agir dans les quartiers populaires, Lyon, ENS Éditions, 2013.
• Sintomer Y, Le pouvoir au peuple. Jurys citoyens, tirage au sort et démocratie participative, Paris, La Découverte, 2007.

Educational formula

This class uses a series of resources available on Formatoile (slide show, articles, guides and reports, specifications, etc.). A few sessions in which students are expected to participate orally will be followed by practical tutorials in which students will work in small groups on preparing a service offer, based on real sets of specifications.  Students are called upon to submit proposals ­- based on those specifications – related to the organization or evaluation of participatory initiatives.  This is a simulation exercise for which students will be assessed.

Additional information

Class delivered by Sandrine Rui.