西方参与民主理论的内核及启示

The Kernel and Enlightenment of Western Participation Democracy Theory

参与民主在西方主流民主(代议制民主)出现诸多弊端亟待疗救的状况下,主张回归本真的民主,扩大公民政治参与,行使平等政治活动的权利。参与民主理论以人民主权论为基础,提倡公民通过平等自由地参与协会活动、工厂管理、社区建设、讨论对话的过程,从而使民主意识和民主能力得以提高,实现国家政治决策上的真正民主。它是为消除现代民主中精英式统治、公民政治冷漠、民主意识淡薄等问题,而寻求的改造完善主流民主的方案。参与民主虽有在操作、政治上层实行上的困难等不足,但对公民意识的增强和民主能力的提高,都有着显著的积极意义。在我国民主化进程中,尤其是在基层民主政治建设中具有颇多借鉴价值。

With the western main stream democracy exposing more and more shortcomings,participation democracy calls for the return of genuine democracy,enlarging citizen＇s political participation to realize the equal political rights. Based on people sovereigns,the theory of participation democracy advocates that citizens can improve their democrat consciousness and abilities to realize the genuine democracy in the process of national policy making by the means of participating in association,factory management,community building,discussion equally and freely. In fact,it is the plan to reshape and perfect the main stream democracy so as to eliminate elite governance,citizens＇ political ignorance,and lack of democrat consciousness. Even though it is difficult to operate,it can strengthen citizens ＇democrat consciousness and abilities. In China ＇s democrat process,it is valuable especially in the grass-root democrat political levels.