Grassroots governance and social development: theoretical and comparative legal aspects

Abstract

Democracy, as a political regime and a political system in which the people are recognised as the source of power, is now facing new challenges. The expansion of human rights raises important new issues for society, such as who should be held accountable for decisions. In contrast to traditional representative democracy, grassroots democracy expands civil rights and liberties and holds citizens more accountable at the local level. Concurrently, it generates some potential benefits for social development, both for the individuals who take part in it and for society as a whole. This study examines the experience of nations worldwide in implementing grassroots democracy and grassroots governance mechanisms. It makes an effort to evaluate the potential and prospects of legal conceptualisation of the concept of grassroots governance and adaptation of personal self-governance systems in terms of the social growth of communities.