Citizen participation, public decision-making, democratic legitimacy, administrative efficiency, public action, transparency, effectiveness, public policies, local governance, constitutional law
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Abstract
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Abstract
This document discusses the importance of citizen participation in public decision-making, its limits, and the need to balance democratic openness with administrative efficiency.
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[...] In this logic, the general interest is thought of as a reality defined 'from above' by the public authorities, and not as the result of a compromise with citizens. The administration then appears as the guardian of this general interest, which justifies a vertical and centralized public decision. This conception is opposed to other models, notably Anglo-Saxon systems, where the common good is more perceived as the result of a reconciliation between diverse interests. This is also explained by an ancient mistrust of intermediate bodies. Since the Revolution, the dominant idea has been that of a collective interest that should not be distorted by particular groups. [...]
[...] Public Law Composition Citizen Participation in Public Decision-Making « Our country has been built around a strong public action. But its ability to reach its recipients is now debated: can it still succeed in its last mile? Through this inquiry, the Council of State annual study of 2023) highlights a central difficulty of public action: that of achieving decisions that are truly understood, accepted, and effective for citizens. Long based on a centralized conception of the general interest, the French State has historically asserted itself as the sole holder of the power to decide for citizens. [...]
[...] When commissions multiply, the risk is doubled: they can be captured by the best-organized groups or block the responsibility of the final decision-maker. The abolition, in 2018, of several administrative consultative commissions illustrates the state's desire to limit these devices, which have sometimes become too numerous and ineffective. Finally, citizen participation can slow down administrative action. The organization of consultations, the multiplication of opinions to be collected and the time needed to synthesize the observations lengthen the procedures and delay decision-making. [...]
[...] The contemporary evolutions of public action have profoundly modified the way in which decisions must be conceived and justified. Simple legality or conformity to the general interest is no longer enough to win the adhesion of citizens. In a more demanding and more attentive society to transparency, public action must also be understood, discussed, and even co-constructed. As the Council of State points out in its annual study of 2023, the administration must think about public action from its 'first kilometer' to really reach the 'last kilometer'. This implies associating users as true actors of the decision. [...]
[...] Participation must remain compatible with administrative efficiency. Too many procedures, too many instances, or too many consultations can slow down decision-making, complicate it, and dilute responsibilities. Excessive participation risks producing the opposite effect of what is sought: instead of strengthening legitimacy, it can create confusion or blockages. Therefore, it appears necessary to enclose participatory mechanisms and seek a balance between citizen involvement and administrative efficiency. In this regard, certain local practices illustrate this search for balance, such as the implementation of continuous dialogue devices or consultation conferences that allow citizens to be associated while preserving the decision-making capacity of public authorities. [...]
