The Role of Assemblage in Shaping Participatory Democracy Through E-Democracy Platforms

The interaction between e-democracy platform designs, urban development models, and the political culture of cities constitutes a unique participatory assemblage that affects the quality and inclusiveness of democratic practices.

Assemblage theory posits that social phenomena emerge from the interactions between various heterogeneous elements. In the context of e-democracy, the design of platforms like Decidim, the urban development models, and the local political culture interact to form a participatory assemblage. This assemblage shapes the practice and quality of democracy in different urban settings.

Analysis of the participatory assemblage in Barcelona with Decidim as a central component. Comparative study with Helsinki and Lisboa (TBC) to understand different assemblages and their impacts. Examination of participatory assemblages in Lisbon, Ireland, and the Czech Republic to identify common and divergent patterns.

How do the interactions between e-democracy platform designs, urban development models, and political culture form a participatory assemblage that influences democratic practices?

There are identifiable and measurable components of the participatory assemblage in each city. The interactions between these components are significant enough to influence democratic practices. The concept of assemblage is applicable and useful for analyzing e-democracy platforms.

We invite all partners to share your experiences with e-democracy platforms in their city. How do various local factors come together to shape the participatory and political experience?

UX research, Interviews, data analysis (need an update of the state of the art of Decidim API and the decidim-module-comparative_stats by platoniq)

Identification of the key components that form the participatory assemblage in each city. Insights into how these components interact to either enhance or hinder inclusive democratic practices. Understanding of how variations in the participatory assemblage impact the quality of democracy.