The British Council and participation Participation and democracy embrace systems of elections and voting, involvement of civil society organisations and the development of an institutional base for participation as well issues of devolution and decentralisation. Individuals use a wide range of skills and structures within society to ensure their effective participation. Enhancing the interface between people and government by bringing broad-based popular voice into policy making is increasingly the rhetoric of political parties. One way is rarely sufficient so various approaches are required to ensure fuller participation. The nature of the social fabric in society determines the appropriateness of approaches to participation and their combination.
Participation is about people, either as individuals or in groups.
This requires an understanding that people vary in their circumstances, backgrounds, capacities, opportunities, power, resources and influence and that some people enjoy greater degrees of participation, or social inclusion than others. People participate in diverse ways at different times and through different structures within their societies with varying patterns of equality and inequality. Inequality of participation remains a persistent feature of social exclusion. Governments and institutions around the world are increasingly appreciating that lack of accountability results in a lack of legitimacy and trust and consequent reduced chances of sustainability. Participation is seen as reversing this.