Handbook of Democratic Innovation and Governance

Edited by Stephen Elstub, Senior Lecturer in British Politics, Department of Politics, Newcastle University and Oliver Escobar, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, UK

Democratic innovations are proliferating in politics, governance, policy, and public administration. These new processes of public participation are reimagining the relationship between citizens and institutions. This Handbook advances understanding of democratic innovations, in theory and practice, by critically reviewing their importance throughout the world. The overarching themes are a focus on citizens and their relationship to these innovations, and the resulting effects on political equality. The Handbook therefore offers a definitive overview of existing research on democratic innovations, while also setting the agenda for future research and practice.

‘Stephen Elstub and Oliver Escobar have assembled an impressive lineup of established and emerging scholars to tell you just about everything you need to know about the state of democratic innovation, its importance, and its future prospects. An essential guide to this crucial and growing field.’
– John S. Dryzek, University of Canberra, Australia

‘Around the world democracies are undergoing something of a renewal resulting in a proliferation of democratic innovations across the globe, Elstub and Escobar's Handbook is a timely and important contribution to the field across theory and practice. It will be an invaluable resource for researchers, practitioners, civil society activists and governments.’
– Jane Suiter, Dublin City University, Ireland

‘At a time when our legacy institutions of representative democracy badly need supplementing so that the democratic project will continue to move forward, this volume impressively advances and consolidates the rapidly developing field of democratic innovations.’
– Mark E. Warren, University of British Columbia, Canada

‘Elstub and Escobar have put together a rich resource for anyone wanting to better understand a wide variety of democratic innovations. Global in scope, this Handbook is a must-read and will surely prompt even more ideas for how democracy can be done differently.’
– Claudia Chwalisz, author of The People’s Verdict and The Populist Signal

“民主改革需要handbook because innovation involves trial and error. This book will help civic organizations, public officials, and scholars advance the most promising new ideas for revitalizing democracy. Its authors draw on hundreds of studies from around the world to show what works and what doesn't. The rest is up to us.’
– John Gastil, Pennsylvania State University, US