Public participation in the formulation of public policy: the case of the Lesotho National Decentralisation Policy in Maseru district.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
This study analyses public participation in the formulation of public policy. The concept
public participation has gained great attention over the decades with development
scholars emphasising that it is an inevitable need for democratic governance.
Generally public participation can be taken to mean that the citizens directly or through
the associations and organisations that represent them take part in the processes of
decision making together with their government. It is attributed to building effective,
efficient, responsive, transparent, and accountable governance.
Public policy is defined as whatever pronouncement that government makes regarding
a problem affecting the wider society. Public policy formulation refers to the process
whereby different actors or role players come together to deliberate and exchange
views on how a public problem can be addressed. These role players come from within
and outside government. Actors from government have a legal mandate to formulate
policy because of their legal duty to serve the public. Role players from outside
government represent public interests; they bring diversity of expertise and experience
to advise on possible alternative solutions to the prevailing problem.
Theory of participatory democracy which supports the idea of public participation in
governance issues, including policy formulation has been adopted for this study. The
main emphasis of this theory is that the people should have a chance to decide on the
issues that affect them. Policies affect the people hence they must participate in their
formulation. Mechanisms and processes of public participation, advantages,
challenges, and criticisms linked to public participation in the formulation of public
policy were explored.
Various legislation guiding public participation were outlined; from international
agreements, African legislation, SADC legislation and domestic legislation from the
country where the study took place.
The study used a qualitative research approach gathering primary data using in depth
interviews and focus group discussions. Data was analysed by identifying major
themes; democracy and good governance, empowerment, ownership and support,
policy relevance and responsiveness and the mechanisms for public participation.
The findings of this study revealed that both the government officials and the public
recognise the importance of public participation in policy formulation. However, there
were shortcomings especially in the way that the public was engaged to participate.
The mechanisms used to involve them did not offer them genuine chances to influence
the policy decisions.
Description
Master of Social Science in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2017.