Institutionalization Guidebook
Preparation stage questions
1.
Scope: jurisdiction, parts of the system
1.1. What jurisdiction(s) is this design for? (for example, a particular country or municipality)
In many cases, this question will have an obvious answer, but it is still worth documenting. In other cases, you may have a choice of jurisdictions.
It is useful to think about criteria before listing possible jurisdictions, in order to avoid biasing your criteria based on which jurisdictions seem most promising.
Some generic criteria are:
- Likelihood of success
- Time required
- Difficulty/resources required
- Potential for sustainability
- Potential for adoption and adaptation by other jurisdictions
1.2. What parts of the political system, at which level, should this design address?
This might include, for example, the national legislature, national government, local government, the judiciary, and/or independent political authorities.
2.
Actors: jurisdiction, decision makers, stakeholders, design team
Before designing a proposed change to democracy, it is useful to consider objectives and constraints (see next section). Before considering objectives and constraints, it is useful to consider who are the relevant actors, because different actors will have different perspectives on objectives and constraints. In particular, three groups of actors are important: decision makers, stakeholders, and the design team.
for this design?
Most often this will be politicians, high level civil servants, and/or the voting public (through a referendum).
2.2. Which stakeholders’ views should be considered – and when?
Opposition parties can overturn a systemic change if they come into power in a future election. Civil servants can have multiple ways to prevent successful implementation of a change they do not support. In some cases, powerful advocacy groups can sabotage a systemic change in democracy through the tactics they usually use to influence policy.
As with decision makers, sometimes the most effective strategy is to work with and persuade the “influencers” first, before the stakeholders.
2.3. What roles are needed in the design team? Who should play each role?
It is helpful to not only think of the “core team,” but also of contractors, advisors, and others who help with parts of the work.
Even if the members of the design team (and others) have already been decided, it is worthwhile to consider to what extent this team has what it needs for the task – for example, enough people, the right skills and experience, and diversity of perspectives.
3.
Requirements
3.1. What are the objectives for this design?
a.
Decision maker objectives
b.
Stakeholder objectives
b.
Design team objectives
3.2. What are the constraints?
a.
Decision maker objectives
4.
The jurisdiction
4.1 What is the size of the population?
4.2 Are there any prominent divides that are important to consider?
For example, these might include language, class, ethnicity, religion, urban/rural, and/or party affiliation.
4.3 What is the level of public trust in government? What is the trend?
4.1 What is the size of the population?
4.2 Are there any prominent divides that are important to consider?
For example, these might include language, class, ethnicity, religion, urban/rural, and/or party affiliation.
4.3 What is the level of public trust in government? What is the trend?
5.
The current system
5.1. What are the competencies of the different levels of government?
5.2. What are the levels of government, specific bodies, and processes responsible for structural change to democracy?
5.3. Which categories of structural change to democracy would require new legislation? Which would not?
5.4. Who is responsible for citizen participation within the administration?
5.5. What are the laws or regulations about citizen participation - especially, related to the objectives of the design? (within the jurisdiction, and/or at higher levels such as the constitution)
5.6. Is limited institutional capacity a potential obstacle?
If so, where might be the best opportunities to accomplish something?
5.7. What other initiatives in government do you need to consider in developing this design?
6.
The jurisdiction’s experience
with deliberative democracy
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