Global Development by Public Participation: An Approach to Achieve SDGs

Abstract

Research on public participation in the policy process often focuses on the localization and participation activities, and pay less attention to the empowerment of civil societies and their meaningful participation; what kind of institutional setups are required and what types of reforms are needed. To address these major gaps, this research theoretically illustrates that the presence of institutional setups that help to empower civil societies not only ensure meaningful involvement of civil societies in their development but also help to develop pressure on the governments to fulfill their commitments towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goal of this study is to analyze in-depth the relationship between institutionalization of Participatory Development (PD) and SDGs. This study will help not only to understand the logic behind the emphasis on PD in the UN agenda 2030 but also to find out socio-political institutions that are required to make the relationship between PD and SDGs successful. To evaluate this relationship, I used comparative case study method. I developed theoretical framework to analyze the practical implications of incremental reforms in the socio-political setup of both case studies. After careful analysis, this research finds out the institutional setups that help to empower and strengthen civil society, are useful not only to institutionalize PD but also to achieve SDGs.