This study investigated the extent and scope of citizen voice in public decision-making in
the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) from two theoretical perspectives. It is structured
around three components; an in-depth exposition of the literature on citizen participation,
application of two theoretical frameworks applied to the scope of citizen voice in the GPL
and an applied case study approach. This study found that the literature ascribes multiple
meanings to citizen participation and that there are incongruities in the manner in which the
literature conceptualises, describes the mechanisms, and outlines the intentions, and
outcomes of citizen participation. Citizen voice in the GPL is deemed to be contextual to
and influenced by the interplay of the socio-political environment, multiple interests, values
and sub-systems. The case study approach allows for an expanded analysis of the implicit
power dynamics in the GPL and the institutional political processes on the nature and extent
of citizen voice. In this study citizen voice is regarded as an opportunity for direct,
representational and/or institutional expression of citizen interests in public decisions
consolidating democracy, citizenship and legitimate government.The GPL’s policy
documents point to a stated intent of democratic public participation conceived and pursued
as citizen control, empowerment and partnership. However the conclusion is that this
participation vacillates between information sharing and consultations, but not decisionmaking
control. The study asserts that the theory on citizen voice in public decision-making
is under-developed and there is a disconnection between the literature and citizen
experiences.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/14188 |
| Date | 18 March 2014 |
| Creators | de Bruyn, Graeme Howard |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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