Project summary

At Carnegie UK, Democratic Wellbeing means that we all have a voice and choice in decisions that affect our lives. However, across the UK there is currently low levels of trust in our democratic systems and institutions. There is increased recognition that democracy and its institutions need to evolve to help rebuild connections and improve transparency between people in communities and those they elect to office. Participatory and deliberative democratic initiatives, such as citizen’s assemblies, can help to address these challenges.

We are undertaking ongoing research to improve our understanding of participatory democracy’s contribution to democratic wellbeing in the UK.

Our research has, so far, found that participatory democratic processes most usefully contribute to democratic wellbeing if they are designed and delivered to high standards of inclusion and accountability. If a high standard is not achieved in the design, delivery and subsequent accountability mechanisms for a participatory or deliberative process then they risk increasing the disconnect between individuals and our democratic structures. Participants in these processes may be left with lower overall levels of trust than they started with if they are told their views matter but are not informed about how they are acted on or taken forward. Without proper accountability, these initiatives risk being tokenistic.

Our research and engagement tells us that it is possible to address issues of public disconnect and a lack of trust in democracy if more engaging, meaningful and recurring opportunities are established and embedded for people to influence the decisions that most affect their lives.

Carnegie UK will be further exploring these themes and issues in the next phase of this programme in 2025.