The role of participation in good governance through looking at the case of open government partnership platform in the selected country.

Arman AZIZYAN

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The discourse on participation led to oversimplification, as it has been interpreted as a means of de-politicization or self-liberation with respect to development thought schools (Williams, 2004). Though participation may be used as a way of political control, the results and subject of the process cannot be fully controlled. In addition to this, participation itself may not empower people, but Williams continues the argument that participation can be re-imagined as it may take a completely new political course. White suggests that understanding participation requires looking at the process of who participates, how they do it, and on whose terms (White, 1996). Good governance relies on two main factors, the sincerity and the constant dialogue of the involved actors, thus fundamental understanding and practice of administrative transparency (Vilone, 2020). There is inconsistency with accepted governance practices and generic good governance mainly due to little agreement on what are the objectives of good governance, according to Turnbull, S. 2016. Open Government Partnership, established in 2011 with an aim to promote accountable, responsive, and inclusive governance by co-creating an action plan of governance reforms with the participation of government and civil society actors (Open Government Partnership, 2020). The research aims to analyze the role of participation in good governance by looking at the case of the open government partnership platform in the selected country. The objectives of the research will be to identify different interests, dynamics, and power relations of the participation process and its use for good governance. The data will be gathered through primary and secondary qualitative research using methods like analyzing relevant documents, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.

Abstract:

The discourse on participation led to oversimplification, as it has been interpreted as a means of de-politicization or self-liberation with respect to development thought schools (Williams, 2004). Though participation may be used as a way of political control, the results and subject of the process cannot be fully controlled. In addition to this, participation itself may not empower people, but Williams continues the argument that participation can be re-imagined as it may take a completely new political course. White suggests that understanding participation requires looking at the process of who participates, how they do it, and on whose terms (White, 1996). Good governance relies on two main factors, the sincerity and the constant dialogue of the involved actors, thus fundamental understanding and practice of administrative transparency (Vilone, 2020). There is inconsistency with accepted governance practices and generic good governance mainly due to little agreement on what are the objectives of good governance, according to Turnbull, S. 2016. Open Government Partnership, established in 2011 with an aim to promote accountable, responsive, and inclusive governance by co-creating an action plan of governance reforms with the participation of government and civil society actors (Open Government Partnership, 2020). The research aims to analyze the role of participation in good governance by looking at the case of the open government partnership platform in the selected country. The objectives of the research will be to identify different interests, dynamics, and power relations of the participation process and its use for good governance. The data will be gathered through primary and secondary qualitative research using methods like analyzing relevant documents, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.

Keywords

Participation, Good Governance, Open Government, Georgia, CSO, NGO

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 8. 8. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Lenka Dušková, PhD.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Geography / International Development Studies