A participação direta na implementação de políticas públicas: em busca do engajamento cívico do cidadão

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the extent to which direct participation in the implementation of policies has the potential to increase citizen civic engagement. The starting point will be the delimitation of the institute, based on the foundations provided by the Constitution, defining it as a constitutional right that, in order to be exercised, depends on the creation of instruments by the Public Administration that make it viable. The recognition of the legal nature of a right does not prevent the presence of a civic responsibility from being also identified, to be encouraged by a structure that increasingly allows the sharing of power with the citizen. Having defined the path we intend to follow, we present the reasons why direct participation must be improved: the need to give more legitimacy to the actions of the Public Administration; the effective incorporation of the republican principle into our legal system; the opportunity for experimential learning as a way of expanding citizens’ civic virtues; and the insufficiency of current direct participation mechanisms, such as participatory budgeting, consultations and public hearings, to provide effective and broad participation. Having presented the justification that demonstrates the importance of the institute in the direction of society, the work analyzes the means by which the Public Administration could give concrete form to the direct participation of citizens in its structure. It is argued that investment in education is the main tool to bring citizens closer to the management of public affairs, and it is necessary to adopt experimental teaching methodology as a way of developing, in a lasting way, the awareness that citizens, in addition to rights, has responsibility for public affairs and must act to achieve the common good. Furthermore, education must be complemented by an incentive approach, based on behavioral theory, in which the Public Administration is constantly seeking to promote civic engagement among citizens, and can make use of advertising and technology. to enhance its effects. The implementation of these measures, however, faces numerous challenges. They are: the absence of conditions for effective participation; lack of motivation; the risk of capture and the need for regulation; inefficiency and scarcity of resources; and, finally, the devaluation of public service, which should serve as an example to boost the desire for participation. Having faced these dilemmas, the conclusion is that, although the path is long and tortuous, the Public Administration must remain firm in its purpose of creating public spaces that are shared with the citizen and, with this, strengthen citizenship, as way of combating the practice of non-republican values that have penetrated our society.