Notes on Participation and Representation in Participatory Budgeting in Rosario City, Argentina (2002-2012)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the case of the Participatory Budgeting (PB) in the city of Rosario, which has been taking place for a decade, and which shows an interesting format of active participation of organizations and citizens during the whole process. This paper focuses on two aspects to which literature on participatory budgeting has paid little attention, but which are relevant to evaluate achievements and challenges of this policy through time. Firstly, it explores the relationship between the local government and the opposition political parties within the city deliberative council. The existing linkages between them during the period under analysis are also examined. Secondly, it studies the citizens’ selection system of proposals developed by the delegates. In the case of Rosario’s PB, there is a voting instance in which citizens directly chooses the public works to be done.