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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Current representative democracies face a decline in support and confidence while experiencing
assertive opponents. Therefore, a solution could be found in making democracies more inclusive. In
the Netherlands, this is done by applying a type of deliberative democracy on a local level, via a
project called G1000. This type of citizen participation (which is not legally binding) exists next to the
local decision-making procedures and existing forms of citizens participation such as online surveys or
referendums. A G1000 procedure leads to a citizens’ decision, which incorporates the opinion of an
entire community about a certain topic. This dissertation project shows that – for a citizens’ decision
to be implemented by the city council – the G1000 organisation needs to collaborate with a
municipality. It can be stated that a bureaucratic system needs to recognise procedural rules within
the G1000 method for it to accept it as part of the ´ system’. Ideally, a G1000 procedure should be
organised every half year to give guidance to a city´s police and to make sure that eventually, all inhabitants of a municipality will take part in a G1000. The direct democratic system would then exist
next to the representative system, each handling the issues it suits best.