Participatory Budgeting in Global Perspective

Participatory Budgeting is an innovative democratic program that is spreading across the globe, with governments adapting it to meet local needs. This book develops six PB types and presents case studies to illustrate the wide variation in how programs function and produce outcomes. An empirical finding is that the change in PB rules and design is now leading to significant differences in the outcomes these programs produce.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic program that is gaining popularity worldwide as government officials and citizens embrace it in their quest to enhance accountability, civil society, and well-being. Governments often tailor PB's basic program design to suit local needs, resulting in significant variations in how PB programs operate. Some programs retain elements of radical democracy, while others prioritize community mobilization, and still, others aim to promote participatory development.

In order to account for the diverse adoption, adaptation, and impacts of PB, Participatory Budgeting in Global Perspective offers a theoretical and empirical framework. This book proposes six distinct PB types to capture the wide range of ways in which PB programs function and the outcomes they yield. To illustrate the commonalities across the globe, four empirical chapters present a comprehensive set of case studies that highlight the significant differences among these programs. These chapters are organized regionally, covering Latin America, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and North America. By organizing the chapters regionally, it becomes evident that various temporal, spatial, economic, and organizational factors contribute to the development of different programs within regions, while similar programs exist within each region.

A significant empirical finding from this research is that the changes made to PB rules and design are now resulting in significant variations in the outcomes these programs achieve. While some programs have been successful in promoting accountability, expanding civil society, and improving well-being, there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate the direct link between PB and significant social or political change.

Overall, Participatory Budgeting continues to evolve and adapt globally, offering a promising approach to democratic governance and community development. However, further research is needed to fully understand its impact and effectiveness in achieving its goals.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192897756