1. Inclusive growth
Voice
Dr Mike Reid, Principal Advisor, LGNZ

2. Context
Non-inclusive growth has led to the rise of populism which represents a the threat to civil society and democracy itself
Driven by
Inequality
Numbers living in poverty
Working poor
Uneven spatial growth
Feeling of disempowerment and alienation

3. Participatory & self determining in local matters
Impact
Declines in voter turnout
Poor levels of trust in governments
Benjamin Barber’s prediction – change driven by tension between two global trends:
The paradoxical democratic rise of anti democratic sentiments
Jihad
Tribalism
Kin solidarity
Strong leaders
McWorld
Global
Bureaucratic
Technocratic
Participatory & self determining in local matters

4. Citizens in western democracies used to find fulfilment in political participation;.
Now they are coming to feel that the democratic process is a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing (courtesy of Charles Taylor).

5. Question
How do we address increasing dis-empowerment and ensure governments reflect the public will?
The most direct way of making governments accountable is to “shorten the route of accountability by devolving power to the lowest possible level where it can be more directly responsive to popular will (Fukuyama 2014).
Deepen democracy by
strengthening VOICE

6. Challenges
Managerialism and technocracy
Declining political representation
Diminishing public realm
Weakening of citizenship
Politicians re-defined as directors
Micro-management from the centre

7. The assault on local democracy in NZ
Since 2009 obligations on councils to consult and engage largely removed.
LTCCP to LTP
Removal of right for citizens to determine community outcomes
Change to the purpose of the LTP
The (dis) engagement policy
Less consultation on plans and budgets
Efficiency Task force
The LGA Amendment Bill No 2
Removal of s.93(6)(f) – purpose of LTCCP to provide an opportunity for participation by the public in decision making processes ….
Replaced by a” Consultation Document” – a glossy summary that keeps citizens at arms length from many of the issues that matter.

8. Techniques (examples)
Referenda
Citizens’ juries
Citizen assemblies
Focus groups
Stakeholder interviews
Social media

9. Putting the citizens back in charge
Opportunities for participatory options
Creating the incentives
Vertical – policy and plan making
To identify issues for annual and long term plans
Use citizens assemblies to identify community outcomes
Horizontal - spatial
Area budgets over seen by community boards
Political leaders
Citizen expectations and demands
Administration
Legislative triggers

10. Lessons Avoid tokenism Meaningful and authentic Systematic
Lessons from the citizen jury that met to decide on Capital Power
Meaningful and authentic
Focus needs to be on issues that matter (feedback loops)
Systematic
Integrated within council process with buy-in at senior level

11. The idea of democracy is really important
The practice of democracy is really, really, really important