Participation and influence
The word democracy means that all public power proceeds from the people. In a democracy, citizens are jointly responsible for the society in which they live. It is therefore essential that everyone is involved in its development. By taking part and exerting an influence we build our common future.
Perhaps the most basic opportunity to exert an influence is to use the right to vote. At municipal, county council, national and EU levels, voters can express their opinion by voting for the party and/or person who supports their values. In matters of particular importance opinions may also be expressed in referendums.
Join a party or advocacy organisation
Another way of participating and exerting an influence is by joining a political party or a youth association. Party politics provides opportunities to work along with others for the society you believe in based on your values. It also offers individuals an opportunity to become involved in issues of personal importance and to hold political positions of trust.
Membership of advocacy organisations and associations and non-profit work on their behalf are active ways of exerting influence, not least when involved in a specific issue. This may refer to anything from immigrant organisations to sports movements, from animal rights associations to religious communions, from environmental movements to cultural associations.
Send in your comments
You do not need to be a member of a political party or an organisation to take part in and exert an influence on the development of society. At national level, for instance, all citizens are entitled to send in their comments on reports presented by the Government. In the case of major issues, these reports have often been drawn up by commissions or committees of inquiry at the request of the Government.
At local government level, anyone registered as resident in a municipality or county council is entitled to raise matters in the assembly (known as citizens proposals) and have them processed. Residents of a municipality are also entitled to take a so-called popular initiative for a municipal referendum to be held on a specific matter. This is possible if five per cent of the residents of the municipality so request.
Furthermore, user influence and self-administration bodies are examples of forms of influence in which citizens who use a public service over a long period are given an opportunity to influence it. User influence chiefly occurs in municipal activities such as schools, day care centres and care of the elderly services.
Demonstrate and debate
The foundation of the democratic system, with openness and insight, offers all citizens a wider opportunity to exert influence and demand accountability. Contacts with politicians and officials is one example, the principle of public access to official documents another. Furthermore, all citizens are entitled to express their opinions by, for example, taking part in debate, demonstrating, signing appeals, sending letters to the press and arranging meetings.
Lastly, it is important to remember that democracy exists not just on a political level but also permeates the whole of society. Democracy is equally import in schools (for example through student council work and student influence) in the workplace (for example through trade union work and co-determination) and in residential areas (for example through tenants associations and tenant-owners' associations).
