Research Article
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Year 2020, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 50 - 65, 19.02.2020

Abstract

References

  • Aimers, J. (1999). Using participatory action research in a local government setting. In I. Hughes (Ed.) Action Research Electronic Reader. Sydney: The University of Sydney. http://www.aral.com.au/arow/aimers.html. Accessed 2019/06/18. Alexander, G. & Kane-Berman J. (2014). The 80/20 Report: Local Government in 80 Indicators Over 20 Years. http://irr.org.za/reports-and-publications/occasional-reports/files/the-80-20-report-on-local-government-26-may-2014-1.pdf. Accessed 2019/06/17. Auriacombe, C.J. (2015). Closing the gap between theory and practice with action research. African Journal of Public Affairs, 8(3), 1-16. Barber, B. (2003). Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age, Twentieth Anniversary. Berkeley: University of California Press. Bekker, K. (2004). Citizen Participation in Local Government. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik. Brydon-Miller, M., Kral, M., Maguire, P., Noffke, S. & Sabhlok, A. (2011). Jazz and the banyan tree: Participatory action research. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.) The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (4th ed., pp. 387-414). Newbury Park: Sage Publications. Chikulo, B.C. (2013). Developmental local governance and service delivery in South Africa: Progress, achievements and challenges. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 28(1), 35-64. Deetz, S. (2007). Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and communication. In S. May, G. Cheney, and J. Roper. (Eds.) The Debate Over Corporate Social Responsibility (pp. 267-279). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Deetz, S. & Irvin, L. (2008). Governance, stakeholder involvement and new communication models. In S. Odugbemi & T. Jacobson (Eds.). Governance Reform Under Real-World Conditions: Citizens, Stakeholders, and Voice (pp. 163-180). Washington, D.C.: World Bank. De Visser, J. (2009). Developmental local government in South Africa: Institutional fault lines. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2, 7-25. Edigheji, O.E. (2005). A Democratic Developmental State in Africa? Unpublished Concept Paper. Johannesburg: Centre for Policy Studies. Enserink, B., Witteveen, L. & Lie, R. (2009). Performance Indicators for Public Participation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265571671. Accessed 2019/07/18. Esau, M. (2007). Deepening Democracy Through Local Participation: Examining the Ward Committee System as a Form of Local Participation in Bonteheuwel in the Western Cape. Cape Town: Policy Management, Governance and Poverty Alleviation in the Western Cape. Evans, P. (2011). The Capability-Enhancing Developmental State: Concepts and National Trajectories. Paper Presented at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, Korea International Cooperation Agency Conference, Seoul, Korea, 2 September. Hanberger, A. (2006). Evaluation of and for democracy. Evaluation, 12(1), 17-22. Helao, T. (2015). An Evaluation of Good Governance and Service Delivery at Sub-National Levels in Namibia: The Case of the Oshana Region. Doctoral Dissertation. Pretoria: University of South Africa. Huffman, T. (2017). Participatory/action research/CBPR. In J. Matthes, C.S. Davis, & R.F. Potter (Eds.) The International Encyclopaedia of Communication Research Methods. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Kay, A. (1970). Planning participation and planners. In C. Pateman (Ed.) Participation and Democratic Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Klijn, E.H. & Koppenjan, J.F.M. (2012). Governance network theory: Past, present and future. Policy and Politics, 40(4), 187-206. Manyaka, R.K. (2014). Collection of municipal own revenue in South Africa: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Public Administration, 49(1), 127-139. Maphunye, K.J. (2014). South Africa: A unique democratic transition? Paradox and prospects. Journal of Public Administration, 9(1), 140-160. Mathie, A. & Cunningham, G. (Eds.) (2008). From Clients to Citizens: Communities Changing the Course of Their Own Development. Rugby: Practical Action. Mathie, A. & Peters, B. (2014). Joint (ad)ventures and (in)credible journeys evaluating innovation: Asset-based community development in Ethiopia. Development in Practice, 24(3), 405-419. Mautjana, M.H. & Maombe, G. (2014). Community participation or malicious compliance? Africa Insight, 44(2), 51-67. Michels, A. (2011). Innovations in democratic governance: How does citizen participation contribute to a better democracy? International Review of Administrative Sciences, 77(2), 275-293. Michels, A. & De Graaf, L. (2010). Examining citizen participation: Local participatory policy making and democracy. Local Government Studies, 36(4), 477-491. Muthien, A. (2013). Public Service Reform in SA: Key Challenges of Execution. https://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/85/Strategic%20Review/Vol36(2)/09-muthien-pp-126-142.zp39581.pdf. Accessed 2019/07/18. National Planning Commission (NPC). (2012). National Development Plan (NDP): Vision for 2030. Pretoria: Government Printers. Nel, V. & Denoon-Stevens. S. (2015). A Literature Review on the Performance of Local Government Over the Past Two Decades. Pretoria: Pegasys Strategy and Development (Pty) Ltd. Ngqele, W.Z. 2010. An Investigation of Ward Committees as a Means for Structured Public Participation: The Case of the Knysna Local Municipality. Master’s Dissertation. Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Ovens, W. (2013). 20-Year Review of Local Government. www.salga.org.za/.../20%20Year%20Review%20Integrated%203.pptx. Accessed 2019/05/18. Patton, M.Q. (2008). Utilization-Focused Evaluation. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Powell, D. (2012). Imperfect Transition - Local Government Reform in South Africa 1994-2012. http://repository.uwc.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10566/551 /Powell LocalGovernment2012.pdf. Accessed 2019/05/18. Powell, D.M., O’Donovan, M. & De Visser. J. (2015). Civic Protests Barometer: 2007-2014. http://mlgi.org.za/talking-good-governance/20150219%20Civic% 20Protest%20Barometer%20Published%20%20DP.pdf. Accessed 2019/05/18. Public Service Commission (PSC) (2014). Towards a Conceptual Framework for a Developmental State (DS) in South Africa. Pretoria: Government Printers. Putu, M. (2006). The Role of Ward Committees in Enhancing Public Participation in Rustenburg Municipality: A Critical Evaluation. Cape Town: Citizen Leadership Unit, Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa. Republic of South Africa (1996). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, No. 108 of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printers. Republic of South Africa (1998). White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery. Pretoria: Government Printers. Republic of South Africa (2000). Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000. Pretoria: Government Printers. Rowe, G. & Frewer, L.J. (2005). A typology of public engagement mechanisms. Science, Technology and Human Values, 30(2), 251-290. Schmidt, D. (2008). From spheres to tiers: Conceptions of local government in South Africa in the period 1994-2006. In M. Donk, M. Swilling, E. Pieterse & S. Parnell (Eds.) Consolidating Developmental Local Government (pp. 109-152). Cape Town: UCT Press. Schurink, E.M. & Schurink, W.J. (2009). Utilization focused evaluation as tool in the development of a participative democracy. Administratio Publica, 17(4), 86-101. The Presidency (2012). National Development Plan 2030: Our Future: Make It Work. Pretoria: The Presidency. The Presidency (2014). 20-Year Review Background Paper: Local Government. Pretoria: Government Printers. The Presidency (2018). Annual Performance Plan 2018/2019. Pretoria: Government Printers. United Nations (UN) (1990). African Charter for Popular Participation in Development. http://www.un.org/portners/civil society/document/0-45-427.htm. Accessed 18 May 2018. University of Oregon (2003). Planning Analysis: The Theory of Citizen Participation. https://pages.uoregon.edu/rgp/PPPM613/class10theory.htm. Accessed 2019/05/18. Zurbriggen, C. (2014). Governance: A Latin America perspective. Policy and Society, 33(4), 345-360.

THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

Year 2020, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 50 - 65, 19.02.2020

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse government-developed citizen participation mechanisms in South Africa against the backdrop of Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a community development tool. Furthermore, the researchers investigate the concept “civic participation” to develop a potential framework for PAR in third-world democracies such as South Africa. The research methodology involved a critical desktop analysis of books, articles, regulatory policies, and strategy documents to analyse PAR as a possible development process for democratic participative governance. The research revealed that community challenges can only be solved by empowering citizens to identify and address problems within their respective communities, as well as to monitor the actions of elected and appointed public officials. Furthermore, ordinary people can cooperate with local government through civic structures to improve their social conditions. PAR can empower community members to participate in local government decision-making structures and processes. This paper recommends that this process should empower all stakeholders to gain the necessary insight and knowledge to develop action plans for community problems. PAR is the ideal avenue to foster partnerships between government and communities.

References

  • Aimers, J. (1999). Using participatory action research in a local government setting. In I. Hughes (Ed.) Action Research Electronic Reader. Sydney: The University of Sydney. http://www.aral.com.au/arow/aimers.html. Accessed 2019/06/18. Alexander, G. & Kane-Berman J. (2014). The 80/20 Report: Local Government in 80 Indicators Over 20 Years. http://irr.org.za/reports-and-publications/occasional-reports/files/the-80-20-report-on-local-government-26-may-2014-1.pdf. Accessed 2019/06/17. Auriacombe, C.J. (2015). Closing the gap between theory and practice with action research. African Journal of Public Affairs, 8(3), 1-16. Barber, B. (2003). Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age, Twentieth Anniversary. Berkeley: University of California Press. Bekker, K. (2004). Citizen Participation in Local Government. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik. Brydon-Miller, M., Kral, M., Maguire, P., Noffke, S. & Sabhlok, A. (2011). Jazz and the banyan tree: Participatory action research. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.) The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (4th ed., pp. 387-414). Newbury Park: Sage Publications. Chikulo, B.C. (2013). Developmental local governance and service delivery in South Africa: Progress, achievements and challenges. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 28(1), 35-64. Deetz, S. (2007). Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and communication. In S. May, G. Cheney, and J. Roper. (Eds.) The Debate Over Corporate Social Responsibility (pp. 267-279). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Deetz, S. & Irvin, L. (2008). Governance, stakeholder involvement and new communication models. In S. Odugbemi & T. Jacobson (Eds.). Governance Reform Under Real-World Conditions: Citizens, Stakeholders, and Voice (pp. 163-180). Washington, D.C.: World Bank. De Visser, J. (2009). Developmental local government in South Africa: Institutional fault lines. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 2, 7-25. Edigheji, O.E. (2005). A Democratic Developmental State in Africa? Unpublished Concept Paper. Johannesburg: Centre for Policy Studies. Enserink, B., Witteveen, L. & Lie, R. (2009). Performance Indicators for Public Participation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265571671. Accessed 2019/07/18. Esau, M. (2007). Deepening Democracy Through Local Participation: Examining the Ward Committee System as a Form of Local Participation in Bonteheuwel in the Western Cape. Cape Town: Policy Management, Governance and Poverty Alleviation in the Western Cape. Evans, P. (2011). The Capability-Enhancing Developmental State: Concepts and National Trajectories. Paper Presented at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, Korea International Cooperation Agency Conference, Seoul, Korea, 2 September. Hanberger, A. (2006). Evaluation of and for democracy. Evaluation, 12(1), 17-22. Helao, T. (2015). An Evaluation of Good Governance and Service Delivery at Sub-National Levels in Namibia: The Case of the Oshana Region. Doctoral Dissertation. Pretoria: University of South Africa. Huffman, T. (2017). Participatory/action research/CBPR. In J. Matthes, C.S. Davis, & R.F. Potter (Eds.) The International Encyclopaedia of Communication Research Methods. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Kay, A. (1970). Planning participation and planners. In C. Pateman (Ed.) Participation and Democratic Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Klijn, E.H. & Koppenjan, J.F.M. (2012). Governance network theory: Past, present and future. Policy and Politics, 40(4), 187-206. Manyaka, R.K. (2014). Collection of municipal own revenue in South Africa: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Public Administration, 49(1), 127-139. Maphunye, K.J. (2014). South Africa: A unique democratic transition? Paradox and prospects. Journal of Public Administration, 9(1), 140-160. Mathie, A. & Cunningham, G. (Eds.) (2008). From Clients to Citizens: Communities Changing the Course of Their Own Development. Rugby: Practical Action. Mathie, A. & Peters, B. (2014). Joint (ad)ventures and (in)credible journeys evaluating innovation: Asset-based community development in Ethiopia. Development in Practice, 24(3), 405-419. Mautjana, M.H. & Maombe, G. (2014). Community participation or malicious compliance? Africa Insight, 44(2), 51-67. Michels, A. (2011). Innovations in democratic governance: How does citizen participation contribute to a better democracy? International Review of Administrative Sciences, 77(2), 275-293. Michels, A. & De Graaf, L. (2010). Examining citizen participation: Local participatory policy making and democracy. Local Government Studies, 36(4), 477-491. Muthien, A. (2013). Public Service Reform in SA: Key Challenges of Execution. https://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/85/Strategic%20Review/Vol36(2)/09-muthien-pp-126-142.zp39581.pdf. Accessed 2019/07/18. National Planning Commission (NPC). (2012). National Development Plan (NDP): Vision for 2030. Pretoria: Government Printers. Nel, V. & Denoon-Stevens. S. (2015). A Literature Review on the Performance of Local Government Over the Past Two Decades. Pretoria: Pegasys Strategy and Development (Pty) Ltd. Ngqele, W.Z. 2010. An Investigation of Ward Committees as a Means for Structured Public Participation: The Case of the Knysna Local Municipality. Master’s Dissertation. Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Ovens, W. (2013). 20-Year Review of Local Government. www.salga.org.za/.../20%20Year%20Review%20Integrated%203.pptx. Accessed 2019/05/18. Patton, M.Q. (2008). Utilization-Focused Evaluation. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Powell, D. (2012). Imperfect Transition - Local Government Reform in South Africa 1994-2012. http://repository.uwc.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10566/551 /Powell LocalGovernment2012.pdf. Accessed 2019/05/18. Powell, D.M., O’Donovan, M. & De Visser. J. (2015). Civic Protests Barometer: 2007-2014. http://mlgi.org.za/talking-good-governance/20150219%20Civic% 20Protest%20Barometer%20Published%20%20DP.pdf. Accessed 2019/05/18. Public Service Commission (PSC) (2014). Towards a Conceptual Framework for a Developmental State (DS) in South Africa. Pretoria: Government Printers. Putu, M. (2006). The Role of Ward Committees in Enhancing Public Participation in Rustenburg Municipality: A Critical Evaluation. Cape Town: Citizen Leadership Unit, Institute for Democratic Alternatives in South Africa. Republic of South Africa (1996). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, No. 108 of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printers. Republic of South Africa (1998). White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery. Pretoria: Government Printers. Republic of South Africa (2000). Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000. Pretoria: Government Printers. Rowe, G. & Frewer, L.J. (2005). A typology of public engagement mechanisms. Science, Technology and Human Values, 30(2), 251-290. Schmidt, D. (2008). From spheres to tiers: Conceptions of local government in South Africa in the period 1994-2006. In M. Donk, M. Swilling, E. Pieterse & S. Parnell (Eds.) Consolidating Developmental Local Government (pp. 109-152). Cape Town: UCT Press. Schurink, E.M. & Schurink, W.J. (2009). Utilization focused evaluation as tool in the development of a participative democracy. Administratio Publica, 17(4), 86-101. The Presidency (2012). National Development Plan 2030: Our Future: Make It Work. Pretoria: The Presidency. The Presidency (2014). 20-Year Review Background Paper: Local Government. Pretoria: Government Printers. The Presidency (2018). Annual Performance Plan 2018/2019. Pretoria: Government Printers. United Nations (UN) (1990). African Charter for Popular Participation in Development. http://www.un.org/portners/civil society/document/0-45-427.htm. Accessed 18 May 2018. University of Oregon (2003). Planning Analysis: The Theory of Citizen Participation. https://pages.uoregon.edu/rgp/PPPM613/class10theory.htm. Accessed 2019/05/18. Zurbriggen, C. (2014). Governance: A Latin America perspective. Policy and Society, 33(4), 345-360.
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Primary Language English
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Cj Auriacombe This is me

T Sithomola This is me

Publication Date February 19, 2020
Published in Issue Year 2020 Volume: 12 Issue: 1

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APA Auriacombe, C., & Sithomola, T. (2020). THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies, 12(1), 50-65.
AMA Auriacombe C, Sithomola T. THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. IJ-SSHS. February 2020;12(1):50-65.
Chicago Auriacombe, Cj, and T Sithomola. “THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION”. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies 12, no. 1 (February 2020): 50-65.
EndNote Auriacombe C, Sithomola T (February 1, 2020) THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies 12 1 50–65.
IEEE C. Auriacombe and T. Sithomola, “THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION”, IJ-SSHS, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 50–65, 2020.
ISNAD Auriacombe, Cj - Sithomola, T. “THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION”. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies 12/1 (February 2020), 50-65.
JAMA Auriacombe C, Sithomola T. THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. IJ-SSHS. 2020;12:50–65.
MLA Auriacombe, Cj and T Sithomola. “THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION”. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2020, pp. 50-65.
Vancouver Auriacombe C, Sithomola T. THE USE OF PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH IN A PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY: IN CRITIQUE OF MECHANISMS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. IJ-SSHS. 2020;12(1):50-65.