Open AccessThe notion of participatory democracy in relation to local ward committees: The distribution of power
Author(s) -
Leepo Modise
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
in die skriflig/in die skriflig
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2305-0853
pISSN - 1018-6441
DOI - 10.4102/ids.v51i1.2248
Subject(s) - democracy , participatory democracy , citizen journalism , power (physics) , relation (database) , distribution (mathematics) , public administration , representative democracy , political science , sociology , law , politics , computer science , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , database
This article comprises four important parts: first, the two important components of democracy, namely participatory and non-participatory or representative democracy will be discussed with special reference to the distribution of powers. Second, it will address the roles and responsibilities of ward committees within the democratic society. Third, the ethical question of the basis of the committee members’ capacity to serve on the ward committees in relation to coercive leadership (tyranny of the majority) will be investigated. Fourth, the theological standpoint on the distribution of powers or participatory democracy and the role of the church to improve participatory democracy will be discussed. The research question is the following: What can be done by the country to improve participatory democracy in South Africa, through engagement with ward committees