Policy Brief #06: Democracy and representation for emergency action

Date of publication
Author
Metropolis, UCLG and LSE
Topic
Public space
Type of resources
Policy Brief
In our increasingly complex and interconnected world with climate crises, migration crises, and the spread of dangerous diseases among others, have brought to the forefront the topic of emergency governance. The decisions taken by high government officials and the extent to which these being rooted in democratically legitimate practices and values, have become a frequent point of discussion and debate.
Discover how emergency response governance can both create tensions regarding democratic legitimacy, while nevertheless also capable of enabling increased democratic legitimacy in decision-making. In order to measure and analyse these ideas, the This policy brief uses 5 main democratic pillars: (1) rights, (2) good governance, (3) representation, (4) deliberation, and (5) participation.
This policy brief aims to establish a point of departure for future engagement, deliberation, and practical advice regarding emergency governance.
New approaches to democratic governance are needed to eliminate pervasive forms of discrimination and inequality whilst also coping with the complex socio-political nature of crises and emergencies. Examples of these new approaches discussed in the brief, are citizen assemblies and feminist governance systems, which should bring about more inclusive and empowering governance mechanisms. The key idea being governance by empathy.
Hence the effective and democratic emergency governance does not only lie on the shoulders of national governments. However, cities and local governments have a unique opportunity to compensate for democratic backsliding under conditions of emergencies.
Cover DEMOCRACY AND REPRESENTATION FOR EMERGENCY ACTION
EN2.44 MB
ES2.45 MB
FR2.48 MB