THE ROLE OF CITY COUNCILS IN STRENGTHING THE DEMOCRATIC LOCAL GOVERNMENT: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND SUGGESTIONS

Abstract

Implementation of participatory mechanisms is an important step in ensuring effective local services, identifying problems and providing solutions. Public participation in decision-making processes for a legitimate, transparent, accountable and democratic local government is a fundamental step. In the light of the seconsiderations, the concept of participatory democracy and participation mechanisms have an increasing effect. A democratic local governance model for the implementation of the process that started with Local Agenda 21 reveal the model of city councils in Turkey has allowed the development of mechanisms for participation in local governance.
In the study, the current status of the city councils, which is a reflection of a democratic local government approach, was analyzed in terms of participatory democracy, democratic local governments and local participation concepts. Comparison of United States, Sweden, Germany, France and the United Kingdom with examples of local participation with disruptions experienced in Turkey has tried to determine. Later on study, the current situation of the city council model, which was established as a democratic model of local government, was determined and structural and administrative recommendations were provided for effective local participation