Localurban democracy and citizenship

Abstract

The chapter links the institutionalization of citizenship with local democratization. It first examines how people in their civic capacity have played a significant part in the historical democratization of European cities. This can be seen from a liberal local democracy perspective and also according to the view of citizenship institution building developed by T.H. Marshall. It then looks at further ways of citizen participation going beyond representative democracy, in particular their involvement in local social welfare politics and governance. It further shows that the claims for participation in local politics go back in history: already in mediaeval towns civic associations played a role in enhancing local democratization and citizenship. It finally shows how local urban civic organizations continue to confront local institutions and create new mechanisms for participation. Two perspectives are salient in this respect. One concerns the ‘enhancement of citizenship’ through ruptures and ‘acts of citizenship’. The other is that of “bottom-linked governance” enabling collaboration between social innovation actors and local administrations.