Civic Engagement
Background
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. Today, more than ever, citizens demand greater transparency from their governments. Information on the who, why and how of decision making is essential to hold government to account, maintain confidence in public institutions and support a level playing field for business. Greater transparency is not only key to upholding integrity in the public sector; it also contributes to better governance. Indeed, openness and transparency can ultimately improve public services by minimising the risk of fraud, corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
Voter turnout
High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. Voter turnout is defined as the percentage of the registered population that voted during an election. High voter turnout is desirable in a democracy because it increases the chance that the political system reflects the will of a large number of individuals, and that the government enjoys a high degree of legitimacy.
Even if the right to vote is universal in all the countries covered by the BLI, not everyone exercises this right. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout averaged 69% in OECD countries. Research has shown that more educated people are more likely to vote than less educated ones, and that older people are more likely to vote than younger ones. There is little difference in the voting rate between men and women in most OECD countries, although in Switzerland, men outvote women by nearly an estimated 5 percentage points. - Women outvote men by an estimated 8 percentage points in Lithuania and in the Russian Federation. How well-off you are also affects how likely you are to vote. Voter turnout generally increases with individual income and on average there is nearly a 12 percentage point estimated difference between the top 20% of the population and the bottom 20%. This gap reaches 28 percentage points in Poland and 26 percentage points in the United States. In Korea, instead, the voter turnout among the bottom 20% of the population is estimated to be 1.5 percentage points higher than among the top 20%.
Voter participation is the best existing means of measuring civic and political engagement for several reasons (high quality data, broad cross-country comparability). However, this measure is far from ideal, in particular because of institutional differences in electoral systems. While voter turnout is indeed compulsory (and strongly enforced) in several countries, it is nevertheless a useful measure of citizen engagement.
In general, women are in the minority among elected representatives and although their number has slightly increased in the last decade, it is still well below parity. In the OECD, only about 29% of the seats in national parliament are held by women on average.
Stakeholder engagement for developing regulations
Public engagement in decision making promotes government accountability, a friendly business environment and public trust in government institutions. Indeed, a country's laws and regulations contain much information about how a society is organised, the rules of the game and the political decisions taken. If citizens can participate in the development of these laws and regulations, it is more likely they will comply with the rules.
Stakeholder engagement for developing regulations measures to what extent a country's executive branch engages with stakeholders when developing primary laws and subordinate regulations. This indicator measures elements such as consultation methods, openness, transparency and feedback mechanisms. The indicator is calculated as the simple average of two composite indicators (covering respectively primary laws and subordinate regulations).
Civic Engagement in Detail by Country
lva Civic Engagement - Latvia expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Latvia was 55% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Latvia, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.2 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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zaf Civic Engagement - South Africa expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in South Africa was 66% of those registered below the OECD average turnout of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In South Africa, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Co-creating the future
South Africa’s National Development Plan, known as “Our future, make it work”, launched in 2012, establishes a vision for the country through to 2030. To better involve citizens, the council managing the development of the plan established an inclusive engagement process, which brings together policy communities, community-based organisations, political parties, labour unions, business organisations, government departments, the Forum of South Africa Directors General, the Cabinet, and provinces and municipalities. Taking an innovative approach to consultation, stakeholders were engaged through a number of mediums, such as television and radio shows, newspaper inserts and co-edited press articles, roundtable discussions, fireside chats, social media and online brainstorming sessions, YouTube animations and a dedicated email address for written comments and submissions. This process is helping people to define overarching goals, build consensus and provided a common framework for action.
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aus Governance – Australia expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Australia was nearly 92% of those registered; this figure is one of the highest in the OECD area where average voter turnout is 69%, and reflects the practice of compulsory voting in Australia.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Australia, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.7 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Online tools for civic engagement
YourSAy is an online consultation hub that involves South Australians in policy making. People use this tool to participate in discussions and vote in polls to impact government decisions. Local champions reach out to the public, particularly disengaged citizens, to show how the tool can impact everyday life.
Launched in 2010, YourSAy is one of the largest community consultation programmes in Australia. More than 42 000 people have joined the online community, exceeding its original target of 10 000 users.
YourSAy is a useful feedback tool for the government. For example, the Ministry of Education has incorporated feedback from online consultations in their policies. Consultation feedback is also expected to influence the state’s Strategic Plan for development. The government of South Australia is also exploring the potential of social media in advancing public engagement by opening up discussions on different platforms.
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aut Governance – Austria expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Austria was 76% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Austria, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.3 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Indicators
bel Governance – Belgium expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Belgium was 88% of those registered. This figure is one of the highest in the OECD area, where average turnout is 69%, and reflects the practice of compulsory voting in Belgium.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Belgium, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.0 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Encouraging citizen engagement
Public consultations for the design, creation and formulation of laws and regulations have become increasingly common in Belgium. Engagement methods include advisory councils, roundtables and special dedicated websites.
The Flemish Community has a long tradition of consulting citizens in policy making. New strategic advisory councils, which include academic experts, civil society stakeholder groups, and private sector organisations have formalised this approach. Together they formulate advice on policy proposals and help draft legislation. This transparent process helps build trust and ensure public concerns are addressed. In Wallonia, roundtables with companies help discuss options to cut red tape. The region involved businesses in the design of the Ensemble Simplifions Plan to reduce red tape for businesses, through the special website: www.ensemblesimplifions.be.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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bra Governance – Brazil expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Brazil was 80% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%, and reflects the practice of compulsory voting in Brazil. Even if the right to vote is universal in all OECD countries, not everyone exercises this right. There is little difference in the voting rates of men and women in most OECD countries.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Brazil, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.2 (on a scale between 0 and 4), higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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can Governance – Canada expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Canada was 68% of those registered. This figure is slightly lower than the OECD average.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Canada, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.9 (on a scale between 0 and 4), higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
E-Government in Canada
BizPaL is a Canadian collaborative partnership of between the federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments launched in 2005 that provides online information on the permits and licences required to start or expand a business. Over 34 federal departments and agencies, the 13 provincial and territorial governments and more than 750 municipalities participate in BizPaL. This project receives an annual budget of CAD 3 million, which enables an ongoing improvement of the service.
Through BizPaL, entrepreneurs and small business owners can identify which permits and licences they need and how to obtain them by selecting the business activities and geographical location of choice. BizPaL automatically generates a list of all required permits and licences from all levels of government, along with basic information on each with links to the specific government sites where the entrepreneur can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.
In developing the BizPaL service, the federal government (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, ISED) has been responsible for securing the participation of all levels of government, which have been responsible for securing the participation of municipal governments. ISED manages the project centrally, but each jurisdiction is responsible for maintaining its own data within the system.
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chl Governance – Chile expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Chile was 47% of those registered. This figure is one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where average turnout is 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Chile, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.3 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
One stop shop for state procedures
"ChileAtiende" offers a national multi-channel one-stop shop for citizens to carry out their business with government. It has a national network of more than 190 offices, a national call centre and a digital platform (web and social networks) through which citizens can access multiple services and benefits without having to contact multiple government offices. Previously, citizens needing to complete a procedure with the state had to identify which institution delivered the service, where its offices were located and contact them to find out the requirements to access the service. This was costly in terms of time and money.
ChileAtiende has resulted in savings in infrastructure investments of USD 30 million plus savings of USD 0.48 million through shared services for participating organisations. And that is just the savings to government. Citizens saved an estimated USD 39 million from January 2012 to August 2013 through reduced travel and opportunity costs.
Formalising public engagement
Law 20.500 makes it compulsory for government to undertake public participation and consultation. Under one aspect of the new law, central administration bodies must, with certain exceptions, create Civil Society Councils. These councils are permanent advisory boards and come from non-profit organisations related to subject matter of the administrative body. Civil Society Councils must be plural, representative and diverse in composition.
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cze Governance – Czechia expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens’ participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in the Czechia was 62% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In the Czechia , the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.6 (on a scale between 0 and 4), lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Indicators
dnk Governance – Denmark expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Denmark was 85% of those registered. This figure is much higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Denmark, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.0 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Hearing the voices of the elderly
Senior Citizens' Councils (SCC) are voluntary nationwide organisations that exist in each of Denmark's 98 municipalities. Each Council is elected on a democratic basis, by local senior citizens (over 60 years of age). City government councils are obliged to consult the local SCC before a final decision is made on any issue relevant to the elderly population. Each SCC is also a member of the National Association of Senior Citizens Councils, providing national political representation in relation to national politics and to other NGOs. The Association is completely neutral when it comes to political party matters and focuses primarily on supporting SCCs.
Inclusive policy making
MindLab is a cross-governmental innovation unit which involves citizens and businesses in co-creating new solutions for society. MindLab works with service users, citizens and other stakeholders at early planning stages of service delivery. For example, MindLab worked with users to test the use of mobile devices for tax returns. After collecting their feedback government plans were changed and costly service mistakes were avoided. Three ministries and one municipality take part and collaborate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Interior. MindLab helps decision makers view things from an 'outside-in perspective,' seeing the issue from the point of view of the citizen to co-create better ideas.
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est Governance – Estonia expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Estonia was 64% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Estonia, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.7 (on a scale between 0 and 4), higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Crowdsourcing reform
The People's Assembly (Rahvakogu in Estonian) is an online platform for crowd-sourcing ideas and proposals to amend Estonia's electoral laws, political party law, and other democratic issues. The Assembly was created by volunteers from various non-governmental organisations to: (1) change the decision-making process by combining online crowd-sourcing with smaller seminars and large conferences and (2) amend and create laws.
Launched in January 2013, within three weeks of its launch the site had 60 000 visitors, 1 800 registered users and nearly 6 000 ideas or comments posted. Thematic workshops, organised on priority proposals, brought together 150 people, including the author of the proposal, political party representatives, and experts. These priority proposals were brought to Deliberation Day on the 6th of April 2013, where a recruited representative sample of 314 people discussed the ideas and casted their preferences. Out of 15 proposed legislative amendments three were implemented in the first year. Another four proposals are pending.
The process is considered a success as it brought citizens and politicians together in an open and transparent process.
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fin Governance – Finland expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Finland was 69% of those registered. This figure is in line with the OECD average.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Finland, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.2 (on a scale between 0 and 4), slightly higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Working collaboratively to improve access to information
Lakes are a major feature of the Finnish landscape. Lakewiki (Järviwiki in Finnish) is a collaborative web service that encourages people to take responsibility for nearby waters. The platform provides the public with basic information about water protection and about 56 000 lakes. Anyone is welcome to contribute by uploading photos, text, data, and observations or writing on discussion forums. Uploaded observations include water temperature and levels, ice conditions, and water transparency. These observations are then used to create maps and time-series graphs.
Lakewiki has grown in steadily popularity with the number of visitors increasing by about 25% each year. The site reaches between 10 000-30 000 visitors a week.
Improving online consultation
Finland has launched a pilot project for an online "opinions service" (lausuntopalvelu.fi) to improve the formal consultation process. It allows representatives of ministries, agencies and organisations, as well as citizens, to participate in open discussions during a consultation. They are able to use the platform to browse and issue opinions, including commenting on the statements made by other users. The project also aims to help regulators collect and analyse information received from stakeholders more efficiently.
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fra Governance – France expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in France was 75% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In France, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.1 (on a scale between 0 and 4); in line with the OECD average.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Coding for better, more understandable services
Source codes for software written by public authorities are considred administrative documents and publicly available in France. Free access was first granted after the administrative court in Paris reviewed a denied request for the source code of the fiscal caluculator used for the income taxes for some 37 million citizens.
In 2016, a vote was put by the French National Assembly for a new bill on digital rights, including algorithmic transparency. Later that year, Etalab and the Direction Général des Finances Publiques (DGFIP) organised a “hackathon” called #CodeImpot. This event promoted the use of code to develop services that build trust between citizens and the government in relation to the taxation process. Over 150 students, scientists, developers, national authorities, start-ups and entrepreneurs attended creating 9 projects. Among the new projects was a new tool to make income tax more understandable and help people compare their fiscal situation to that of others.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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deu Governance – Germany expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Germany was 76% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Germany, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.8 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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grc Governance – Greece expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens’ participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Greece was 58% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Greece, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.8 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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hun Governance – Hungary expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Hungary was 70% of those registered. This figure is slightly higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Hungary, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.2 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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isl Governance – Iceland expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Iceland was 81% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Iceland, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.1 (on a scale between 0 and 4); in line with the OECD average.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Open government for the environment
Iceland has a long tradition of open and free access to information, including on environment. The pioneering 1993 Public Access to Environmental Information Act established the right of access to environmental information without having to state an interest. The law also required government bodies to provide a written explanation for delaying information provision more than seven days.
These rights were strengthened in 2006 through the Act on the Right of Access to Information on Environmental Matters. The act reinforced access to information on environmental matters held by public authorities.
Wide access to information has been associated with the traditionally open participation of the public in policy and decision making. In terms of civic and political participation, Icelanders are more active than the citizens of any EU country. In all, 61% took part in some such activity over a 12-month period, compared with 25% in the EU27. This includes both direct personal participation – such as contacting a politician or official and attending a meeting or demonstration (37%, more than twice the EU27 average of 16%) – and self-expression via petitions, including online (46%).
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irl Governance – Ireland expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Ireland was 63% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Ireland, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.3 (on a scale between 0 and 4), lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Consulting with citizens
A citizen-official joint working group and consultative events are supporting the drafting and implementation of Ireland’s Open Government Partnership National Action Plan.
Several consultative events have already taken place. A National Economic Dialogue allowed representatives from parliament, business, and civil society to engage in an open and inclusive exchange on competing economic and social priorities before the 2016 budget. Eleven Open Policy Debates have been held since early 2015, involving policy networks of practitioners, academics and experts on key issues. Before the National Action Plan, a Convention on the Constitution, comprised of 66 randomly selected citizens, 33 politicians and an independent chair, was created to consider and make recommendations for future Constitutional amendments. A referendum on marriage equality emerged from this consultation, along with 37 other recommendations – it was passed in 2015.
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isr Governance – Israel expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Israel was 67% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Israel, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.5 (on a scale between 0 and 4), higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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ita Governance – Italy expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Italy was 73% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Italy, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.5 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Engaging citizens on well-being
Italian cities and regions are using well-being objectives to understand what matters most to their citizens. In 2013, Italy published the first edition of the report on Equitable and Sustainable Well-being (BES). Most of the indicators (on 12 dimensions of well-being) are available at the regional level and, in the future, the BES framework will be adapted and applied to large cities and provinces.
In the region of Sardinia public institutions, the private sector and civil society defined concrete well-being objectives for the region. This initiative led to concrete improvements in public service delivery. Over five years the amount of landfilled waste was halved and the share of recycled urban waste rose from 27% to 48%.
Rome initiated a similar consultation process that included community surveys, web tools, public meetings and workshops to create well-being measures that reflect what matters most to Romans. These measures have been used to identify the region’s territorial development strategy.
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jpn Governance – Japan expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Japan was 53% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Japan, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.4 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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kor Governance – Korea expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Korea was 77% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Korea, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.9 (on a scale between 0 and 4), higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Engaging youth in policy making
The Korean government has created Youth Participation Organisations (YPOs) to engage young people in central and local policy making, and participate in managing various youth centres.
Until the late 1990s, young people in Korea had been regarded as simply to be protected, and thus could hardly participate in social issues. Now, young people can freely express their opinions and needs regarding policies that affect them.
YPOs consist of National Youth Congress, Youth Steering Committee, Youth Participation Committee, and Change Community Programme. In 2014 approximately 100 000 people had benefitted from the YPOs. Every year, some 10 000 young people propose diverse and creative ideas from their own perspectives. Their new ideas include a suggestion to create the "Help Call 120" system for the youth in Seoul, a proposal to make a basic-Plan for the Youth in Daegu, and calls for career experience programmes in youth facilities. An evaluation of 2005-2013 shows that the national youth congress proposed a total of 357 policy projects to the central government and 316 (88.5%) of the proposed projects were accepted over the nine years.
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lux Governance – Luxembourg expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Luxembourg was 90% of those registered. This figure is one of the highest in the OECD, where average turnout is 69%, and reflects the practice of compulsory voting in Luxembourg.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Luxembourg, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.7 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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mex Governance – Mexico expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Mexico was 63% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Mexico, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 3.2 (on a scale between 0 and 4), the highest level in the OECD, where the average is 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
One-stop shop for government services and information
The Mexican government is using the web to enhance citizen participation and simplify access to public services and information. The online platform (gob.mx) invites people to report concerns and suggest changes; download forms and applications or make appointments and payments; and find out about government actions, functions and platforms.
The government anticipates the use of this website will boost efficiency, transform processes and improve public engagement. By 2018, citizens are expected to reduce the time they spend on administrative activities by 25%.
Improving services for taxpayers
The Mexican government asked citizens to give them ideas on how to improve its mobile application services for taxpayers. The Revenue Service opened the design of its mobile application and managed a public contest, in partnership with a local NGO.
The main goal was to enable citizens to do their tax transactions "anytime, anywhere, on any device." In one week, more than 100 participants signed up and 25 proposals were submitted. Of these, 11 finalists were selected to present their projects on stage in front of a distinguished panel of judges at the Entrepreneur Week; the public event ran by the Ministry of Economy. The winning proposal was supported by the Revenue Service for full development and implementation.
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nld Governance – Netherlands expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in the Netherlands was 79% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In the Netherlands, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.6 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
e-Government
The Dutch government has developed and improved digital services and consultative tools available to citizens. People can access hundreds of government websites with a single login through DigiD. The e-Government platform mijnoverheid.nl (mygovernment.nl) offers personalised service to users.
Ministry-led consultative tools allow Dutch citizens to participate in the preliminary phase of decision making by sharing their opinions, concerns, objections, and solutions to delivering public services or draft regulations. These consultations ensure citizens have a voice and strengthen their connection with government.
Citizen engagement for better water policies
Water is a longstanding priority in the Netherlands. Rijnland's regional water authority's working programme and policy plan for 2015-2021 encourages people to participate in decision-making. Citizens and stakeholders were called to participate in a survey and congress to better assess existing knowledge gaps and re-engage locals in the development of water policy. People can also access a new online participation platform that provides information on the roles and responsibilities of the regional water authorities and encourages discussion and new ideas. The results of these public engagements are being considered in the policy plan.
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nzl Governance – New Zealand expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in New Zealand was 82% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In New Zealand, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.5 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Citizen participation in policy
People can find out about ways to participate in decision making at the national level and in their local communities from a single government website (http://newzealand.govt.nz/participate/have-your-say).
The "Great New Zealand Science Project" (http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/science-innovation) for example is a government initiative to encourage New Zealanders to make submissions on the areas of scientific research they perceived to be the most important. Ten key projects were identified and the government has committed NZD 133.5 million over four years.
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nor Governance – Norway expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Norway was 78% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Norway, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.2 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
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pol Governance – Poland expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Poland was 68% of those registered. This figure is slightly lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Poland, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.6 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Foreigners' Forum
The Mazovian Voivodeship region surrounding Warsaw has introduced a forum to improve co-operation between governmental institutions and the non-governmental sector in helping immigrants. The Foreigners' Forum is a dialogue platform, an opinion exchange and co-operation point between government representatives of the region and NGOs to help integration of immigrants in the region.
Before, migrants had a very negative opinion on the quality of service provided to them. The Foreigners' Forum has played an important role in increasing immigrants' trust in public administration services, and the number of complaints has significantly reduced, with user satisfaction increasing from 40% in 2008 to 97% in 2012.
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prt Governance – Portugal expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Portugal was 49% of those registered. This figure is one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where average turnout is 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Portugal, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.5 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Citizen shops for better services
Portugal has built a network of local "citizen shops" which offer public and private services. These range from public social security and tax services to private services such as arranging the connecting and disconnecting of electricity, water and gas or cable television subscriptions. In one single place, citizens have access to a wide range of services with longer opening hours and can save considerable amounts of time.
Some second generation citizen shops offer counters organised around common life events, such as the "I lost my wallet" service, "having a child" service or housing-related services as well as multi-service counters.
The citizen shops cover the whole country with shops in most district capitals, and have greatly improved the efficiency and quality of services provided to citizens.
The Citizen Map is an online platform, adapted for mobiles, that provides location information for all public service locations. Users can use the map to search and find the closest location of a public service. The information contained within the map is also stored and made available at the Portuguese Open Data portal.
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rus Governance – Russia expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in the Russian Federation was 68% of those registered. This figure is slightly lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In the Russian Federation, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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svk Governance – Slovak Republic expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in the Slovak Republic was 66% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In the Slovak Republic, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 3.0 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
E-government for effective reform
The Slovak Republic has introduced electronic identity cards (e-ID) to make it easier for citizens to use government services online. In the beginning of 2017, the share of citizens with e-ID has exceeded 40% of the population. Slovakia has a relatively low level of online interaction between the public and government, but the e-ID and a central e-government portal offering a single access to online services aims to boost online interaction.
The government is also putting in place effective public procurement and transparency, with open data in the area of public administration, central tools for public procurement and services in the e-government cloud. Online training will be available for government employees to help improve capacity on the administration side.
Database for tracing public money
The Slovak Republic reformed its access to information laws in 2000, increasing transparency. The new system has grown over the past 15 years to become an example of best practice. Freedom of access to information has allowed civil society organisations (CSOs) and think tanks to devise innovative solutions to flag risks and to build an information network, allowing for the detection of conflicts of interest and improper influence on decision making.
The CSO Fair Play Alliance created a database that anyone can access via their website. The database focuses on public money paid to private entities (state subsides, privatisation, tax and custom remissions, grants, European funds, debts to the public sector) and on public representatives (managers of state institutions, governments, elected positions, the judiciary, self-governing bodies, Parliament, advisers to political leaders). It provides media and CSOs with monitoring tools and facilitates the monitoring of their decisions by public administration. This database is also helpful for investigative journalism; for example, the media was able to draw attention to concrete allegations of illicit practices regarding political party finance, including fake donors and non-transparent party loans. The network has been emulated by CSOs abroad and the software is used in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Georgia.
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svn Governance – Slovenia expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Slovenia was 53% of those registered. This figure is one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where average turnout is 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Slovenia, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.5 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Stopping corruption in lobbying
Slovenia has laws that limit total contributions to political parties by lobbyists and oblige obliges lobbyists to report the type and value of contributions made to political parties and the organisers of election and referendum campaigns.
These policies help regain citizens' trust, and promote transparency and accountability. Apart from the United States, Slovenia is the only country in the OECD to disclose information on lobbyists' contributions to political campaigns.
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esp Governance – Spain expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Spain was 72% of those registered. This figure is higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Spain, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.8 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Engaging citizens locally
The provincial Council of Biscay is committed to increasing co-operation and social participation. Buying into the concept that “a modern institution has to be close and be accessible to its citizens”, the Council created an easy-to-use website, as well as a smartphone application (“app”), to give people a real role in improving local policies that affect their everyday lives. Citizens can use either the website or app (called Opening municipalities or Udala zabaltzen) to report infrastructure issues like potholes. Each time a reported issue is solved, it is updated on the website so the public can see what action has been made, holding the municipality publicly accountable. This open government initiative also allows people to exchange opinions with the mayor of their municipality and make suggestions. The provincial council has also opened online surveys to determine where new infrastructure, or other improvements, might be needed. Both the website and app are examples of innovative tools which have resulted in more accountable, transparent and efficient service delivery.
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swe Governance – Sweden expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Sweden was 87% of those registered. This figure is much higher than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Sweden, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.0 (on a scale between 0 and 4); slightly lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Increasing public involvement in service delivery
Involving people in the services available and facilitating their ability to take action increases both transparency and engagement. In Stockholm, the city’s Compare Services website allows residents to compare a range of city services and rate their quality. More than 4 000 facilities were mapped across the city with comparable criteria and regularly updated information regarding quality, location and services.
The Compare Services tool helps people make choices based on what best suit their needs and has also led to improvements in service management. For example, parents can use this tool to access information on preschools and make an informed decision based on information on location, pedagogic methods and activities offered, and class size and child-teacher ratios. The website also allows parents to either apply to the school online or contact the city district administration to find a placement for their child.
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che Governance – Switzerland expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Switzerland was 45% of those registered. This figure is one of the lowest rates in the OECD, where average turnout is 69% this, however, does not take into account Switzerland’s highly participatory form of direct democracy.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Switzerland, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 2.3 (on a scale between 0 and 4); higher than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
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tur Governance – Türkiye expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in Türkiye was 86% of those registered. This figure is much higher than the OECD average of 69%, and reflects the practice of compulsory voting in Türkiye.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In Türkiye, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 1.5 (on a scale between 0 and 4); lower than the OECD average of 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database
Indicators
gbr Governance – United Kingdom expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in the United Kingdom was 68% of those registered. This figure is slightly below the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In the United Kingdom, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 3.1 (on a scale between 0 and 4); one of the highest levels in the OECD, where the average is 2.1.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Better Policies for Better Lives
Improving public consultation practices
Consultations are a key component of successful policy making. They bring together varied expertise and opinions assisting in the identification of unintended effects and potential challenges of a policy decision. To improve transparency and increase public engagement, the United Kingdom replaced a highly detailed code of practice in regarding to public consultations with shorter Consultation Principles in 2012 (later updated in 2013). The principles simplify the consultation process by forming 7 key criteria that should be reproduced to ensure a successful consultation. This creates a clear guideline for public officials to follow in their engagements with interested parties and has proved a good example of powerful tool to improve formal consultations between public officials, stakeholders and the public.
An example of a UK government response to consultation can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181637/dla-reform-response.pdf
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usa Governance – United States expand
Key Findings
Trust in government is essential for social cohesion and well-being. High voter turnout is a measure of citizens' participation in the political process. In the most recent elections for which data are available, voter turnout in the United States was 65% of those registered. This figure is lower than the OECD average of 69%.
Broader public engagement in the decision-making process is also important for holding the government to account and maintaining confidence in public institutions. The formal process for public engagement in developing laws and regulations is one way to measure the extent to which people can become involved in government decisions on key issues that affect their lives. In the United States, the level of stakeholder engagement in developing regulations is 3.1 (on a scale between 0 and 4), one of the highest levels in the OECD, where the average is 2.1.
Footnote for the United States:
As the US executive does not initiate primary laws at all, the results presented for the United States in stakeholder engagement for developing regulations refer to practices in place for the development of subordinate regulations only.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.
Footnote for the United States:
As the US executive does not initiate primary laws at all, the results presented for the United States in stakeholder engagement for developing regulations refer to practices in place for the development of subordinate regulations only.
For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.