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Citizens ’ control on public action. Jean-Paul PINON 27 September 2019. Findings and challenges. Edelman Trust Barometer 2019 Percentage who rate each spokesman as very credible. Control is necessary. Cf Edelman Trust Barometer Estimating the extent of corruption
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Citizens’ control on public action Jean-Paul PINON 27 September 2019
Findings and challenges Edelman Trust Barometer2019 Percentagewho rate eachspokesman as verycredible
Control isnecessary • CfEdelman Trust Barometer • Estimating the extent of corruption • Definition of corruption • Electoral calculation conditions the choices of political decision-makers
Citizens’ participation Citizens’ control ≠ citizens’ participation Examples of citizens’ participation: • Referendum • Consultation • Petition • Participatory budget • « Citizens’ parliament » : randomlyselected • Use of collective intelligence: G1000, etc
Solutions : guidingprinciples For a high-quality public service, youneed: • A sound regulatory framework (regulations, procedures, controls, administrative simplicity) • A culture of service. Against badregulation: • You need ‘trade unions’ of citizens • Poor outcome of official control systems. Towards a new culture: • Cultivating devotion (dedication) education • Transparency
Citizens’ control on public action Impunity of political decision makers: • Dilution of responsibilities • "Sanction of the citizen": neutralized • Discretionary margin of any decision maker Citizen appealing to public authorities • Ombudsman • (Parliamentary) question • Justice
Citizens’ control on public action Civic actions: • Whistleblower • Access to public sector information • Publish a transparency index • Improve transparency, e.g. infographics • Black book of state wastes • Best Political Actor Award • Political Directory, with Campaign tool • Petition
Black book of state wastespublished by Bund der Steuerzahler (DE)
PoliticiansOnline.be Goal: • Become THE reference with our interactive and participatory database for politicians • Register of political opinions • Attach to this 'skeleton' many other transparency initiatives. Presentlyaround 17000 politiciansregistered: • All ministers • All members of 7 parliaments (for Belgians) • The parties • Mayors, aldermen and provincial deputies • Many candidates to elections
WeCitizens’ Program • Voters’ association Vote Advice Application : https://www.wecitizens.be/electoral_gps/ • A ‘wikipedia’ of the politicalplayers Political Directory: www.PoliticiansOnline.be • A qualitysurveyor of public management • An institute for citizenshipeducation Pedagogicaltools, etc.
Conclusion • The problem of citizen control is not so much of a technical nature • Importance of restoring personal responsibility • Importance of civic education • Importance of communication / marketing • 1 + 1 = 3 • Signs of positive evolution in the political world.
WeCitizens – WijBurgers - Nous Citoyens a.s.b.l. www.WeCitizens.be info@WeCitizens.be Adm. dél.: Jean-Paul Pinon – 0497 527751