This publication offers a comprehensive legal, sociological, and cultural analysis of traditional and contemporary forms of social participation in selected Central and Eastern European countries. It examines the axiological foundations of participatory attitudes and their impact on civic engagement, while also presenting practical examples of their implementation and influence on local communities.

By presenting participatory models, the publication highlights various interdependencies shaping civic activity. While many forms of participation are similar or analogous, others are unique in nature. Regardless of the level of democratic development, citizens' habits, or even the state of war, the analysis demonstrates that at the current stage of democratic development social participation can no longer be disregarded, as citizens increasingly strive for co-decision-making.

Addressed to scholars and practitioners concerned with local democracy and civic participation, the work highlights the growing significance of social participation as an integral element of modern democratic societies.

Offers a comprehensive approach to social participation in the countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe Provides a wide range of analyses of individual cases of social participation Presents barriers and limitations of the functioning of forms of social participation

Autorentext

Kazimierz Bandarzewski, Department of Self-Government Law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Magdalena Mäecka- yszczek, Department of Constitutional and Administrative Law and Public Procurement Institute of Law, Cracow University of Economics, Kraków, Poland

Marek M czy ski, Department of Self-Government Law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Katarzyna Eliasz, Department of Self-Government Law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Inhalt

Chapter 1: Democratic Innovations as Responses to the Crisis of Contemporary Democracies.- Chapter 2: The concept, idea, essence, and types of citizen participation in public governance.- Chapter 3: Local democracy as a particularly important dimension of empowering individuals in a democratic legal state.- Chapter 4: Traditional and innovative public participation instruments on the local government level in Poland.- Chapter 5: Public Participation in the Czech Republic.- Chapter 6: Civic participation in the exercise of public power: the experience of Ukraine.- Chapter 7: Citizen participation in decision-making at local level: The case of the Republic of North Macedonia.- Chapter 8: The Axiological and Sociological Conditions of Civic Action in Bosnia and Herzegovina.- Chapter 9: Enhancing democratic governance in Romania: a comprehensive analysis of citizen participation initiatives.- Chapter 10: Mini-Publics in the Republic of Serbia An Application of Deliberative Democracy.- Chapter 11: Georgia - Exploring Local Government Innovations in Decision-Making Process.- Chapter 12: Final remarks.