Local politicians' attitudes towards participatory initiatives: a Bulpittian perspective

Abstract

The mixed attitudes that councillors have towards participatory initiatives present a challenge for policy-makers and for the designers of these initiatives. Using a framework adapted from the ideas of Jim Bulpitt, this article provides an original analysis of existing research and concludes that only consultation and cogovernance initiatives are likely to find favour with local politicians. While concerned primarily with the UK, the analysis may be applicable to representative local governments in other countries.

Keywords:

• Councillors
• élites
• local government
• local politics
• public participation

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Jonathan Bradbury and Toby James, my PhD supervisors at Swansea University, and the two anonymous referees whose constructive suggestions helped me to make significant improvements.

Notes

* Electoral and e-democracy innovations are not considered here. While the former have no direct affect on the policy process, the latter are regarded more as enhancements to the other types of initiatives rather than as a category in their own right.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dave Mckenna

Dave Mckenna is a local government manager and a PhD candidate in the Department of Political and Cultural Studies, Swansea University, Wales, UK.