Local Democracy as a Bastion Against Democratic Backsliding: Strengthening Resilience Through Community Engagement and Accountability

In the face of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, growing distrust of representative institutions, and increasing political polarization, local and regional governments have emerged as crucial players in bolstering democratic resilience. This panel aims to examine the pivotal role of local democracy in countering democratic backsliding by fostering strong, accountable, and inclusive governance at the community level. By leveraging citizen participation and promoting transparency, local governments may act as a frontline defense against the erosion of democratic norms and values.
Drawing on diverse case studies and theoretical frameworks, this panel will explore how local democratic practices can enhance resilience against the decline of democratic integrity.
The panel aims to cover several key themes, e.g.: the role of participatory budgeting and citizen assemblies in empowering communities; the influence of local media in promoting accountability and transparency, the impact of technological transformation and digitization on local governance, the issue of legitimacy and trust in local government in the context of complex governance networks.
We welcome papers offering a comparative analysis of Western and Eastern approaches to local democracy, examining the strengths and weaknesses of different models for promoting democratic resilience. Particular attention will be paid to research on how local governments can effectively engage citizens and integrate them into the democratic process, thus supporting more inclusive governance.
The main goal of the panel is to enhance our understanding of how local democratic innovations can play a crucial role in safeguarding democracies against the threats of authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.
Submissions may address, among others, the following questions:
1. How do local democratic innovations contribute to resilience to democratic backsliding?
2. What are the roles of local governments in promoting transparency, accountability and citizen engagement?
3. How do different accountability mechanisms at the local level impact democratic governance?
4. What lessons can be learned from the experiences of Western and Eastern Countries in using local democracy to counter democratic decline?
5. How can local governments balance technological progress and digitalization with inclusive and transparent decision-making processes?