Understanding participatory budgeting through formal and informal processes of inclusion: a case study in the Philippines. Issue 4 (18th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maravilla, Gladys Ann R.; Grayman, Jesse Hession
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 30:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 448
• Page End: 458
• Publication Date: 2020-05-18
• Subjects: Civil society – Participation -- Governance and public policy -- Aid – Development policies -- Social sector -- East Asia; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2020.1721435
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: From 2012 to 2017, the Philippines' bottom-up budgeting (BUB) programme was a government initiative that leveraged participation to ensure the public were involved in crafting their own development programmes. This article advances notions of formal and informal spheres of participation to understand how the BUB empowered people by taking part in various participatory processes. The case study shows how participation is inherently political, but it cannot be disregarded as a potent tool for exercising democracy. The article highlights the potential of participatory practices in popular and informal spaces without abandoning the formal spheres of participation.