Ricerc@Sapienza

Democratic representative systems are in crisis. Political scientists and constitutional law scholars have assessed democratic roll-back due to structural, institutional and ideological reasons.
In order to cope with the challenges implying the loss of legitimacy of representative institutions and the marginalization of elective assemblies and political parties within the democratic circuit, two types of answers have been offered so far. On the one hand the strengthening of the European Union and on the other enhanced political participation.
The main aim of this research is to determine and assess the use of direct and participatory democracy instruments to overcome the growing gap between the governors and the governed both at the national , at the regional and at the local level. The issue will be addressed considering the contemporary political and institutional framework and the integrative potential of the instruments of direct, participatory and deliberative democracy.