Project information
From depoliticization to empowering dissensus: the potential of participatory innovations to facilitate inclusive politicization of the European Union

In response to the persistent gap between citizens and the European Union (EU), EU institutions foster participatory-deliberative democracy to directly link “ordinary” citizens to the agenda-setting and decision-making processes. However, this approach leads to disintermediation with traditional actors such as elected representatives, political parties, and civil society, fostering the depoliticized nature of EU democratic governance. This research aims to: a) examine the changing nature of participatory democracy in the EU, b) critically explore the (de)legitimation of three main actors within participatory-deliberative tools (civil society, citizens, and elected representatives), and c) envisage how to meaningfully couple all three actors to achieve an ideal linkage between representative and participatory-deliberative democracy to enhance the politicization of the EU. This research holds significance not only for EU governance but also offers valuable insights for EU Member States where participatory innovations such as deliberative tools have yet to take root.