Democratic governance: co-production, third sector and citizen participation in the provision of social services

Abstract

A number of European countries seek new ways of involving citizens and third-sector organisations in the provision and management of social services at the local level. This arises from the necessity to meet serious demographic, political and economic challenges faced by the welfare state in the 21st century. The present article analyses the double role of citizens as consumers and co-providers of publicly financed social services, especially welfare services. It underscores the role of the third sector as a promoter of interests of its members as recipients of these services as well as entities that provide these services.

The rapid development of the welfare state in the aftermath of World War 2 and the parallel development of large public and private bureaucratic organisations caused the citizens to lose the understanding of the fundamental nature of social services and their sense of influence on their provision. The provision of such services was transferred from the private to the public sphere when women started to “enter” the job market and could not any longer discharge the duties that they formerly had. At present, a number of citizens wish to regain their influence on the provision of services that embrace an important aspect of their everyday lives. Citizens readily avail themselves of the opportunity to directly participate in or to influence the provision of social services on which they themselves or their relatives, depend. This phenomenon, accompanied by rising education levels and reflective individualism, is often known as sub-politics or life politics. Citizens want to strengthen their “democratic ownership” of publicly financed social services regardless of who provides them. However, the form of provision may also impact the possibilities of influencing them.