Public Participation: Social Capital, Democracy and Rational Choice Theories Review

Abstract

It was aspired to analyze the theoretical foundation of public participation invoking different theories explaining
this phenomenon. Theses involve the most widely used theories as: Theory of Social Capital – because
it is still the most popular foundation in solving participation problems; Rational Choice theory – because it has
not only features of universal theory, but is successfully used in all behaviour sciences, and certainly explains
measuring process (what it is the base of decision assumption in any individuals activity, in participation as
well) of participation’s benefit and loss; Theory of Democracy – because it is treated as an essential assumption,
the foundation to the further construct analyze and practical realization of participating ideas. Such an
approach was taken, because there is no only one universal theory explaining the phenomenon of participation
involving different attitudes. There are chosen different theories depending on context. Authors do not intend to
generate such a theory, this is just assay to discuss the main theories, often over-passing limits of the other one,
identifying problems, which hinder to shape an universal theory of participant foundation. There is confined
from comprehensive public or participant concepts’ operationalization.