The Relationship of Participatory Democracy and City Councils: A Comparative Analysis Through Kirsehir and Yozgat City Councils

Abstract

Participatory democracy describes that individuals of their own accord, active and versatile to be incorporated into management decisions and practices. Today, administrative participation applications such as participatory democracy and city councils as one of the most basic values of local governments realized on a local level hold great importance with respect to the fact that both fellow countrymen are actively involved in administrative process. This study as well, will help to understand how successfully city councils in Turkey have developed in terms of participatory democracy and to acquire concrete results in terms of testing theory-practice contention. To achieve this, present data (directives, meeting decisions, internet sites, etc.) related to corporate structure and function of Kirsehir and Yozgat City Councils have been utilized. Findings acquired within this scope indicate that Kirsehir City Council is more successful in terms of both structure and functioning and participatory democracy applications. However, both special administrations have attempted to realize change in positive direction and still, there are problems which need solving. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.