Mechanisms to facilitate citizen participation in public policy making

Abstract

This study aimed to identify mechanisms to facilitate citizen participation in public policy making in Islamic Parliament of Iran. After conducting a thorough review of the research literature and extracting the Arnstein ladder of participation, the current level of citizens' participation in public policy making, first from the Islamic Consultative Assembly representatives' and next from citizens' viewpoint, was considered. The results showed the current level of public participation in public policy making. Then a few interviews with the university professors and the Islamic Parliament representatives were held to identify mechanisms to facilitate citizen participation in public policy making based on the current level of participation. The data were analysed using theme analysis and then ten mechanisms were extracted. Finally, the mechanisms were prioritised using TOPSIS technique in terms of effectiveness and efficiency and the final model was extracted. Based on findings, three most important solutions are respectively 'broadcasting participation educational programs', 'electronic participation' and 'forming factions as their roles are absolutely obvious'.