Public Participation Conventions in Constitutional Policymaking: Theory, Mechanisms, and Comparative Practices
Abstract
Existing scholarship on public participation in constitutional policymaking has largely focused on procedural inclusion and formal consultation mechanisms, while paying limited attention to how participation conventions function as structured deliberative instruments capable of shaping constitutional legitimacy. Moreover, comparative studies tend to examine participation practices in isolation, without offering a systematic framework that integrates theory, institutional mechanisms, and cross-jurisdictional best practices. This article aims to address these gaps by examining public participation conventions as normative and institutional mechanisms within constitutional policymaking, emphasizing their theoretical foundations, operational processes, and comparative applications. The study employs a normative legal research method combined with a conceptual and comparative approach, drawing on constitutional theory, legal frameworks, and selected international case studies of participatory practices. The analysis demonstrates that public participation conventions, when designed as deliberative and inclusive forums, can enhance constitutional legitimacy by bridging formal legal authority and social acceptance. It further shows that effective conventions depend on structured processes, representative participant selection, transparent deliberation, and clear follow-up mechanisms to ensure that public input substantively influences constitutional outcomes. Comparative experiences reveal that innovations such as citizen assemblies, digital participation platforms, and independent facilitation significantly improve both the quality of deliberation and the legitimacy of constitutional policy decisions. The novelty of this study lies in proposing an integrated analytical framework that positions public participation conventions not merely as consultative tools, but as constitutive elements of democratic constitutional governance. By synthesizing theory, mechanisms, and comparative practices, this article contributes to the refinement of participatory constitutionalism and offers practical guidance for strengthening constitutional policymaking in diverse democratic contexts.
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