The “proceduralization” of Democratic Innovations (DIs)

An analytical framework for the institutional turn

Abstract

[Eng.] This article examines the institutionalization of democratic innovations within systems of public authority. While existing literature has largely focused on participatory processes as isolated events, the paper argues that democratic innovations are increasingly embedded within legal and administrative structures. Drawing on the concept of “proceduralization”, it develops an analytical framework structured around three dimensions: procedural integration, temporal stabilization, and accountability structuring. The framework is illustrated through two institutional examples: the participatory governance framework in Tuscany and the deliberative system of the German-speaking Community of Belgium. The article contributes to debates on democratic innovations by reframing participation as an institutional procedure and by highlighting the role of legal and administrative structures in shaping its effects.