Participatory Budgeting and System Change

Shari Davis discusses her journey from a government employee to an advocate for participatory budgeting (PB). She highlights the systemic inequities in traditional democracy and introduces PB as a solution to engage communities in decision-making. Through examples from Boston and global initiatives, Davis illustrates the transformative power of PB in fostering community leadership and trust in government. She concludes with a call to action for more inclusive democratic practices.

What is identified as a major flaw in the original design of democracy?

• It focused too much on technology.

• It was too inclusive of diverse voices.

• It only allowed for the progression of rich white men.

• It was overly reliant on public opinion.

What is participatory budgeting primarily about?

• Centralizing decision-making

• Reducing public spending

• Collective, radical imagination

• Increasing government revenue

What was the focus of the first youth-focused PB effort in Boston?

• Developing new technology for city management

• Allocating city funds for youth-led projects

• Improving public transportation

• Building new schools

What challenge did the Boston PB initiative face during park renovation?

• Lack of community interest

• Discovery of an archaeological site

• Opposition from local businesses

• Insufficient funding

How did participatory budgeting impact Malachi Hernandez?

• He moved to another city.

• He was the first in his family to graduate college.

• He dropped out of school.

• He became a city mayor.

What role did Maria Hadden play in the PB process?

• She opposed the PB initiative.

• She led a protest against PB.

• She was a founding board member and later a staff member.

• She became a city mayor.

Which city allocates a significant portion of its budget to PB?

• New York, USA

• Paris, France

• Tokyo, Japan

• Sydney, Australia

What are some global benefits of participatory budgeting?

• Increased public health and reduced corruption

• Decreased public engagement

• Higher taxes and increased government control

• More centralized decision-making

What is necessary for renewing trust in democracy according to the speaker?

• Building new ways of thinking and planning

• Reducing public participation

• Maintaining the status quo

• Increasing government surveillance

What does the speaker suggest is needed for systemic change?

• Centralizing power in government

• More government regulations

• Opening doors wide for public participation

• Reducing public spending