Do We All Mean the Same when We Talk about Participation? Perspectives of Local Officials, Politicians and Social Activists Revealed through Q-methodology

Abstract

The article analyses and compares the thinking on citizen participation
of elected and non-elected officials, as well as social activists of the
Spanish cities of Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastián and Lleida. The
research is based on Q methodology, whose combination of quantitative
and qualitative elements can generate systematic, rigorous and
quantifiable evidence, without sacrificing the complexity and richness of
language. The results reveal three distinct perspectives on participation
(integral, regenerative and distrustful), that differ notably in their
appreciation of political institutions and social organizations. However,
results also point to the existence of a core of consensus beliefs, which
opens the door to building more legitimate and effective participatory
institutions.