Democratisation

Democratisation is the process of making a system more democratic. It includes the abolishment of autocratic regimes, the institution, and the consolidation of democratic institutions. Usually, modern democracy is seen as comprising various elements, including constitutional guarantees for equal rights to vote, the liberty of opinion and free media, equality of citizens before the law, and the separation of powers or checks and balances between the executive, the legislative and the judicative. While for a long time mainly free and fair elections and peaceful regime changes were taken as an indicator for the level of democratic consolidation today inclusiveness of political institutions and the decision-making is taken as a further indicator. In any case, democratisation refers to the relationship between the State and the citizens, where civil society actors play a role in shaping and defending group interests in the process of political decision-making as well as holding State authorities accountable for their actions.

Some see a strong link between decentralisation and democratisation. Decentralisation or other forms of non-centralised governance are the pre-requisite for establishing a vibrant local democracy. Decentralisation can provide a way to foster bottom-up, multi-level democratisation.

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Forum Process - Donor’s Brief November 2006 Author: SDC In pursuance of its willingness to promote decentralization and a strong participation of citizens in local governance, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) decided in early 2000 to launch a new participatory initiative in six Bulgarian municipalities in the region of Central Stara Planina. Download (PDF, 1094 KB): [en]

Forum Process - Initiator’s Guide November 2006 Author: SDC There are many reasons to initiate a Forum, it being an excellent instrument to bridge the communication and cooperation gap between social groups – in particular between groups in the public sector on the one hand and those in the private /or civil /or informal sector of society on the other. Download (PDF, 847 KB): [en]

Forum Process - Initiator’s Guide (bulgarian) November 2006 Author: SDC Translation in bulgarian Language. Download (PDF, 891 KB): [en]

Forum Process - Moderator’s Guide November 2006 Author: SDC The Forum Process Moderators’ Guide focuses on the specific requirements of Forum process moderation, which has all the characteristics of a large group process. Download (PDF, 1777 KB): [en]

Forum Process - Moderator’s Guide (bulgarian) November 2006 Author: SDC Translation in bulgarian Language Download (PDF, 1889 KB): [en]

Forum Process - Program Data November 2006 Author: SDC From the year 2000 onwards, in the reshaping of an on-going Community Development Program in Bulgaria, SDC applied the Forum approach for the first time. The aim was to contribute to a balanced decentralised development of the country. Forums at local level should be used to this effect. Download (PDF, 3961 KB): [en]