Citizen Participation

Definition

Citizen participation refers to the involvement of individuals in the political process, such as voting, attending public meetings, or engaging in activism.

Analogy

Imagine citizen participation as being an active player in a video game rather than just watching others play. It means actively taking part in shaping decisions instead of passively observing from the sidelines.

Related terms

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Non-governmental organizations formed by citizens to address social or political issues. They provide avenues for citizen participation outside traditional government structures.

Direct Democracy: A system where citizens directly participate in decision-making through referendums or town hall meetings.

Interest Groups: Organizations representing specific interests or causes (e.g., environmental groups) that seek to influence policymaking through advocacy and mobilizing citizens.