Participatory Democracy Versus Elitist Democracy Lessons from Brazil

William Nylen begins by discussing North Americans' love-hate relationship with politics and politicians, then shows how Brazilians feel the same way (as do many citizens of democracies throughout the world). He argues that this is so because contemporary democracies have increasingly trickled up and away from so-called "average citizens." We now live in a world of "Elitist Democracies" essentially constructed of, by and for moneyed, well-connected and ethically-challenged elites. Fortunately, there are alternatives, and that's where Brazil offers valuable lessons. Experiments in local-level participatory democracy, put into practice in Brazil by the Workers Party show both the promise and the practical limitations of efforts to promote "popular participation" and citizen empowerment.

William Nylen is Associate Professor of Political Science, Stetson University.

Democracy & Civic Disengagement in the United States * Democracy & Civic Disengagement in Brazil * Participatory Democracy in Theory * Participatory Democracy in Practice - Brazil's Workers' Party & the Participatory Budget * The Participatory Budget in Betim, Minas Gerais * Examining Claims on Behalf of the Participatory Budget * Examining Critiques of the Participatory Budget * Administrators of the Participatory Budget and the Motivation of Ideology * Popular Participation as Alternative or Complement to Representative Democracy
Democracy & Civic Disengagement in the United States * Democracy & Civic Disengagement in Brazil * Participatory Democracy in Theory * Participatory Democracy in Practice - Brazil's Workers' Party & the Participatory Budget * The Participatory Budget in Betim, Minas Gerais * Examining Claims on Behalf of the Participatory Budget * Examining Critiques of the Participatory Budget * Administrators of the Participatory Budget and the Motivation of Ideology * Popular Participation as Alternative or Complement to Representative Democracy