Participación ciudadana en los gobiernos locales: caso de estudio del GAD municipal del cantón Bolívar (2020 2023).

Abstract

Abstract: The research focuses on citizen participation in the planning and decision-making processes of the Bolívar Canton Municipal Government during the period 2020 2023. Given the high percentage of the population aware of citizen participation, the need arises to verify whether this awareness is reflected in active and effective involvement in public management. To this end, the political culture of the local area and existing participation mechanisms are studied, as well as the administrative decisions that, a priori, we assume take into account citizen criteria. Thus, through the analysis of surveys, interviews, and document review, the aim is to establish the degree of citizen involvement and those aspects that limit or encourage their political participation. The research aims to establish whether citizen involvement is understood as a real phenomenon, with citizens having a responsibility in decision-making, or whether this decision-making is merely a formal requirement that fulfills the requirements of regulations but ultimately does not translate into actual decision-making. This work provides evidence of the connection between political culture, public management, and citizen participation, contributing to the strengthening of democracy at the local level.