Democratic innovations from the perspective of its participants. An approach to perceived social adjustment

Abstract

he article collects criticisms of the participatory institutionality of different latitudes, recognizing relevant dimensions; then from the perspective of the participants, it establishes whether they are associated with the experiences implemented in Córdoba (Argentina). We analyze the assessment of actors involved in participatory processes around cultural policies and in participation bodies. Based on the evidence produced by surveys, interviews, and analysis of documents, we conclude that the Cordoba experiences of citizen participation record indicators of social imbalance; which weakens the acceptance of the institutions associated with a participatory conception of local democracy. These results may correspond to an interpretation of the political context as unchanging despite institutional openness and innovation. In the field of cultural policies, social imbalance is partial given the perception that these processes reinforce self-determination, resulting in greater institutional acceptance. However, democratization in cultural policy decision-making was unevenly distributed.