Exploring Local Democracy Profiles: Perceptions of Participatory Practices and Roles among Lithuanian Municipal Councilors

Bucaite-Vilke Jurga, Lazauskiene Aiste, Baranauskiene Viktorija and Dryzaite Ieva
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Bucaite-Vilke Jurga: Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Lazauskiene Aiste: Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Baranauskiene Viktorija: Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Dryzaite Ieva: Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania.

NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, 2025, vol. 18, issue 1, 31-56

Abstract: Local democracy has been widely discussed as a crucial element for developing the normative background of local institutions, where political skills and capacities are advanced. Nevertheless, there is less knowledge of the mechanisms connecting local democratic institutions with citizens’ voices and community engagement practices. Local politicians are considered mediators between ordinary citizens and local political processes. Following the discussion on the distinction between representative and participatory elements of local democracy, we empirically examined the relationship between local democracy notions of councilors and their roles and functions as local political representatives. Our empirical results suggest that the more councilors employ participatory democracy elements, the higher their perception of community engagement and facilitator roles for local politicians. On the contrary, the policy-making roles of councilors are less supportive of the notion of participatory democracy. The theoretical and empirical results also contribute to a broader understanding of the relationship between local political powers and local autonomy.

Keywords: Lithuania; local councilors; local democracy; municipalities; participatory democracy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:njopap:v:18:y:2025:i:1:p:31-56:n:1003

DOI: 10.2478/nispa-2025-0003

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