Evolution of participatory democracy: Organisation of communities in the post-communist context Cover Image

Vývoj participatívnej demokracie: Komunitné organizovanie v postkomunistickom kontexte
Evolution of participatory democracy: Organisation of communities in the post-communist context

Author(s): Gabriela Mezeiova, Pero Maldini
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics and society
Published by: Ústav politických vied Slovenskej akadémie vied
Keywords: participatory democracy; political participation; community organizing

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the concept of community organizing. The concept is first explained from the theoretical point of view, in terms of political (civil) participation as a key prerequisite of substantive democracy and in context of its crisis, both in old democracies and post-communist societies. Later it is considered as practice in its birthplace, in the American context, where community organizing is remarkably popular and effective. Subsequently, the article is focusing on research the possibility of using this concept in post-communist context, especially in the Slovak society. It shows that the lack of structural base (vibrant civil society in particular) and political legacy of authoritarianism are the main inhibitory factors in the development of civic political culture, which is the key sociocultural prerequisite of political participation, and consequently of community organizing.

  • Issue Year: IX/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 16-30
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Slovak