Participatory budgeting as an administrative myth: a critique of citizen participation processes

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an analytical critique of citizen participation processes and their link to participatory budgeting in municipal governments in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador, in order to identify gaps between the legal regulations governing participation and their practice in local public management. In addition, a qualitative documentary review will be carried out, chosen for convenience, which will allow for the exploration of constitutional provisions, regulations, and specific experiences related to the implementation of participation mechanisms. The results indicate that, although the mechanisms are expressly provided for in the Constitution of the Republic and in relevant laws, their application in practice falls short of the appropriate objectives of participatory democracy. Open councils or citizen assemblies are not systematically mentioned, nor are tools such as technological mechanisms or the empty chair, which help citizen interaction with the public administration, contemplated. It is concluded that participatory budgets, by failing to establish themselves as a benchmark for administration and democracy, become an administrative myth. Their function is limited to presenting figures that satisfy the government in power, without guaranteeing true citizen co-responsibility in decision-making about public resources.