Participatory budgeting for young people as democratic socialisation: An approach to the case of Spain

Children & SocietyEarly View ORIGINAL ARTICLEOpen Access Participatory budgeting for young people as democratic socialisation: An approach to the case of Spain Gonzalo Pardo-Beneyto, Corresponding Author Pardo-Beneyto [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-7142-1740 Department Constitutional Law, Political and Administrative Sciences, Faculty Universitat de València, Correspondence Av. dels Tarongers s/n, 46022 Spain. Email: [email protected] more papers by this authorMaría Angeles Abellán-López, María Abellán-López orcid.org/0000-0002-6553-0227 University Institute Creativity Educational Innovations (IUCIE), SpainSearch author First published: 06 February 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12690AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms Conditions Use check box below share version article.I have read accept Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link a article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract This analyses participatory budgets (children adolescents) held in Spanish municipalities during period 2015–2021. A questionnaire was made 35 valid responses were obtained after it distributed UNICEF July–September 2021. The data processed using MAXQDA 2022 software, study characterised language, strategy, objectives, phases participants. From these last three variables, document map generate clusters find affinities between cases. main findings reveal importance role municipal officials politicians, well existence budget models. INTRODUCTION offers results an exploratory on experiences, both adult versions, developed within municipalities. For reason, local authorities become privileged spaces convening holding such events. focus paper is efforts administrations implement instruments child adolescent participation. These policies are novel innovative step interest Social Sciences. Our first objective diagnose current state taken from 2021 survey that form part Child Friendly Cities initiative (although not included network also participated). children way actively involve decision-making issues concern prioritise public funding certain projects. Convention Rights (CRC) adopted United Nations Assembly 20 November 1989 marked turning point children's rights around world. Article 12 CRC states States Parties shall assure who capable forming his or her own views right express those freely all matters affecting child, being given due weight accordance age maturity child. In addition, particular be provided opportunity heard any judicial administrative proceedings either directly, through representative appropriate body, manner consistent procedural rules national law. Then, youth participation has essential item agendas considered active citizens their affect them. Participation understood implementation arrangements practices enable influence something them nature. Qvortrup (2008), example, understands terms like human Declaration Human Rights. Percy-Smith Thomas (2010) frame dialogical seen claim assert rights, but dynamic arises mutual interdependence, recognition, respect adults. debates people, regardless scale scope, means developing capacities enhancing democracy (Bowles Gintis, 1986). underlying epistemological rationale competent endowed agency (Gaitán, 2006; Hart, 1997; Lansdown, 2005; Lundy, 2007). However, concept produces serious paradoxes because many democrats deny wish prevent decision-making. Most studies because: (1) strengthens communication negotiation skills people; (2) increases empowerment ability access information about rights; (3) helps learn defend abuse; (4) valuable intergenerational exchange; (5) improves policy outcomes; (6) innovates political arena (Abellán-López et al., 2022; Gal Duramy, 2015; 1992, Liebel, 1994; 2007; Lundy 2020; Thomas, 2009; Tisdall 2014). Having indicated advantages participation, one great challenges how materialise activity. plasticity surrounding enabled adapted ways experiences people. Studies scarce fragmentary, which explained disparity applications (mainly at levels). focused sole (Francés, Ramírez Nárdiz, Ruiz-Morales, 2014) descriptive perspective (Pineda Nebot 2021). deal research carried out understanding phenomenon (Cano-Hila 2021), making critical analysis (Martínez-Valle, describing various areas (López Gil-Jáurena, With initial ideas mind, layout follows. After introduction, methodology formulated, followed theoretical framework, discussion. Finally, we offer conclusions. METHODOLOGY work framed interpretative paradigm use discourses qualitative method defines situations meaningful regarding participants, intentions aims. strategy based mixed methods combines quantification methodologies implemented (Cardoso Braga 2019; Medina 2017). Content facilitates drawing inferences us gain symbolic semantic communications informants (Krippendorf, 1990). Data gathered 15 open-ended questions collaboration UNICEF-Spanish Committee network. Emails sent authorities, website opened increase number responses. July 14 September involved collecting follows (Table 1): TABLE 1. Local entities involved. Autonomous region Size Marmolejo Andalucía 5001–10 000 San Javier Región Murcia 30 001–50 Santomera 10 001–20 Cangas del Narcea Asturias Dénia C. Valenciana Tiana Catalunya Argentona Sant Cugat Vallès 50 001–100 Villena Coaña 3001–5000 Molins Rei 001–30 Ayuntamiento Puertollano Castilla-La Mancha La Puebla Cazalla Barcelona 500 000+ Xirivella Conil la Frontera Bellreguard Reus 100 001–500 Madrid Teruel Aragón Paracuellos Jarama Oruella Euskadi Lorquí Mancomunidad Rivera Fresnedosa Extremadura Supramunicipal entity Almendralejo Arganda Rey Vitoria-Gasteiz Llerena Ataun, Azpeitia, Donostia, Eibar e Irun Zalla Palafrugell Pobla Farnals Tegueste Islas Canarias El Boalo Cuenca Derio Épila Martorell Carreño Puerto Rosario Alcoi Source: Authors. present size municipality obstacle organising initiatives. been coded CAQDAS 2022, quantifiable evidence. Specifically, following coding process (Figure FIGURE 1Open figure viewerPowerPoint procedure. activities undertaken each phases: Generation framework bibliography international sources as: Web Science, Scopus Dialnet. Preliminary answers insights coding. Creation system reference impressions evidence obtained. Development later reviewed compactness validity. Second detection new clustering. Coding variables 2): 2. Code groups. groups Dissemination experience Evaluation monitoring participants Public cycle Scale institutionalisation phase Themes aims Other codes To identify similarities respondents, Kuckart-Radiker Zeta applied. important enables categories generated when sample sufficiently large. case, inference generates serve contrast working proposition 4. program calculates similarity four complementary (MAXQDA, 2022): = Number variable values identical documents. d do exist b c single document. matched coincidence if does documents compared. Kuckart-Rädiker gives greater than differences, useful optimising studies. ratio parameter follows: (2a + d)/(2a d). groupings represented map. Thirty-five response selected, related basic budgeting. grouping, table constructed indicating pieces percentage total code appears. Confidentiality anonymity maintained ethical considerations. All gave informed consented purposes. Democratic learning paradox One major facing Child—as body assesses rights—is persuading prepare legal non-legal measures. As incorporating ratified treaty into systems necessary design multi-level strategies policies, improve coordination advocacy services, gather data, formulate methodologies, train develop make impact assessments. There is, therefore, no convention variety approaches. result, created discussed literature, so-called 3Ps (Alderson, 2008; Mayall, 1994) 6Ps applied (Byrne 2019). there considerable discussion tensions protection While democracy, comes competition independence dependency highlights power asymmetries adults (Moran-Ellis Sünker, 2018). Adults (whether parents, professionals decision-makers) retain control over what counts (Percy-Smith 2010). can compounded other cultural norms underestimation people's capacities, often masked under guise appreciative commentary (Blanchet-Cohen Torres, Shier, exercise citizenship must experienced goes beyond well-intentioned speeches so requires suitable resources development participation—and school appears ideal place (Schugurensky Wolhuter, 2020). Although two obstacles identified: adultcentrism tokenism. Adultcentrism refers taking opinions seriously (Freeman, question whether shared function facilitators guiding processes. implies know back let take (Bessell, Mitra, 2005). Tokenism linked previous concept, autonomy. evolution literature (Arnstein, 1969; 2001). Both Arnstein (1969) Hart (1992) tokenism rungs ladder instrument assessing stages intensity most levels introduce elevated describes without correct rights—generating empty real impact. situation tends occur early overcome better acquired. problem becomes chronic accompanied end disengagement (Meyer Rowan, 1977). (1992, p. 11) states, key principle choice: projects should designed maximise select best ability. popular governance (PB), indicator its success substantial registered—more 11 71 countries according Budgeting World Atlas (2019). involves prioritising funds spent. general definition captures wide range varying (Abers, 2000; Baiocchi, 2003; Cabannes, 2004; Douglass Friedmann, 1998; Sintomer, Sintomer Souza, 2001; Wampler, Given heterogeneity diversity purposes, logics, enormous flexibility social situations—and favours dissemination. originated Brazil, election mayor Porto Alegre, Olívio Dutra, leader Workers' Party, introduced series reforms spending management drive justice regeneration. led spectacular expansion, recognised UN 1994 urban management. Alegre model pioneer best-known Allegretti, Avritzer, 2002; Genro Marquetti 2001) idea sign innovation always played dissemination (Sintomer, If versatility methodological starting point, see difficulty defining consensual applies initiatives, dealt broadness characterise classify different experiences. Despite broad nature possible some definitions purposes Thus, Souza (1997), direct, voluntary universal discusses decides policies. technical perspective, transforms efficiency Avritzer Navarro, 2003). emphasise creation dialogue informal education support (Lerner Schugurensky, much fertile ground preparation classifications that, numerous empirical cases, order describe abundant descriptions aims: employed (Gret 2003); geographical territorial scope (Avritzer Cabannes Delgado, 2017; 2009); strengthening (Fung, 2008); promoting (Fung Wright, Smith, government transparency accountability (Ackerman, 2004); combating clientelism corruption (Baiocchi, 2001); redistributing favour vulnerable sectors systematising task, Lipietz (2015, 2018) propose classification distinguish logics underpin PB: logic; logic good governance; technocratic logic. ‘radically democratise democracy’ contribute construction deepening politics democracy. It including encouraging (Cabannes Lipietz, 2018, 72). second focuses improving creating institutional fabric actors. seeks outcomes bureaucratic improvement, cost reduction 2015). deeply rooted common closely connects needs culture respects adaptation method. 2000s, among Cabezas Juan, Rubí, Feliu Llobregat, Cordoba Seville (Ganuza, Ganuza Francés, 2012; According (2019), increasing adapting characteristics. Experiences extended regional level Valencia universities incipient manner. Consequently, exceptions, PBs organised modalities gained recognition child-budgeting Gadotti, Pineda 2021; Ruiz Morales, Tomás, 2008). give prominence demographic changes Western world producing ageing population may threaten visibility children. Based attributes PB, involving adolescents prioritisation same heterogeneous covered umbrella PB 2018; Dias Font, 2011; versions Spain, left educational socialisation aspects background (Gadotti, Muñoz, Pardo Beneyto Abellán López, 2009). propositions guide following: Proposition 1.Young finalist adult-centred objectives. 2.The organisational teaching aspects. 3.Three models underlie studies: providing solutions; deliberation emphasised; combined phases. DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION Several offered dimensions: (a) cloud; (b) budgets; (c) degree institutionalisation; (d) dynamics participation; (e) objectives budgets. clouds help researchers determine discursive threads evidence, reported cases policy, distance evaluative generation referred search comprehensive highlighted evaluation proposals, alternatives 2). 2Open clouds. Another Figure 3. high mortality. 36.6% respondents said they had only budget, while 22% two. 14.6% (not rest data) yet launched budget. 36.7% budgets, suggests consolidation threshold reached. 3Open held. measured used exclusivity. 4 shows report institutionalised defined ad-hoc structures type institution. Children's councils stand here, forms organisation terminologies. 4Open institutionalisation. Below found [E5] ‘These council specific sessions programme.’ up although them, assisted and, others, limited inclusion comments informant E24 out: ‘the procedure consultative 28 16 years age’. teachers found. E19 that: members process, acting ‘experts facilitators'. combining groups, serves legitimacy E38 argues: ‘The “experts” supported facilitators.’ group whose broader includes plan project simple [E14] ‘Definition worked 2015 2016 sections city schools, council, council.’ [E2] mission strategic define actions needed activity.’ high, natural experimental continuity nor regulation. Changes even abandonment transformation decisions out. regulation helped groups: [E4] ‘To create schools involved.’ short, mostly formal supports aimed planning institutions view Furthermore, ensures primary purpose. prior knowledge procedure, stakeholders, conditions intervention. formally guarantee Regarding worth noting singular differentiated 5). 5Open Type compared proces