Page 88 - Enabling National Initiatives to Take Democracy Beyond Elections

86 A Project of the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) Political authority The level of authority given to a process links directly to the level of commitment shown by the participants. The more people can see that their decisions will have an impact (and not be consumed by bureaucracy) the more seriously they will allocate their own time. There are varying degrees to which authority can be given to a process. A good response is to give a detailed, direct public answer to each recommendation. A clear public record of the participants’ work and the seriousness with which their effort is being taken both affirms their commitment and places enough weight that it cannot be shied away from. Public responses to the recommendations should be a transparent explanation of how the government both understands and plans to implement any recommendations. If for whatever reason, the government intends to differ from the report, it must make a public explanation for why – or face the public criticism of not listening to an informed community decision. Anything short of a commitment to provide a public response runs the risk of being too shallow of a commitment. A better response is to make a commitment to implementing the recommendations. This level of empowerment makes it clear to the group that they do not need to worry about the political feasibility of their recommendations. They can focus on solutions to a hard problem. The best response is to create an institutional role for everyday people in public decision making. This has most recently been done in Ostbelgien where a permanent citizens’ chamber of parliament has been established.