Participation and democratic renewal: from 'instrumental' to'communicativerationality'?

The renewal of local democracy was quickly established as a key priority by the Labour government in the UK following their election in May 1997, and this is seen as requiring an extension of democratic practice to foster mor e direct forms of participation. Traditional perspectives on the policy pro cess embody a 'technocratic' conception of decision making which disempower s citizens. The expansion of 'instrumental rationality' in modern society h as had profoundly anti-democratic implications, creating obstacles to citiz en participation through the bureaucratisation of authority, professional a nd managerial power and expertise. 'Communicative rationality' provides an alternative basis for an institutional framework to promote effective citiz en participation but genuine citizen empowerment is likely to require a rad ical approach which goes beyond institutional reform.