Public consultation and referendum as a form of social participation in the exercise of local government

In this article, the author stresses the importance of participation of people in decision–making at the local government level, highlighting the fact that in democracy the right of citizens to the leadership and management of public affairs is one of the basic principles of the political system. Regardless of what form of legal actions residents take part in, decision–making processes are appropriate and even necessary. In addition, the author appreciates the fact that the catalog of these forms is always growing and changing in favor of the citizens. The author also emphasizes the use of obligatory and facultative referendum, municipal and public consultation, and underlines the fact that under the Polish local goverment law the fundamental differences between these two institutions are their goals, how they are used and the effects they have. Public participation implies the cooperation of citizens in the design and making decisions that affect the functioning of the community, and thus the involvement of individuals in the decision–making process. Such participation should be assessed very positively, because it is not only targeted to investigate the degree of social acceptance for the planned activities of local government, but also is one of the most important forms of social dialogue. In contrast, a small range of cases where the decision is now subject to mandatory consultations should be assessed negatively, as well as the reluctance of the authorities to reach for this type of direct power enforcement. The range of tools to increase the impact of members of the council on the decisions taken by the authorities of those communities will translate into a stronger long–term perspective of participation, and as a result – a better realization of the idea of self–government, which the author has undoubtedly proved.Uniwersytet Łódzk