A specific task force consisting of researchers in political and administrative sciences, anthropology and public law, and key stakeholders, will be formed for the purpose of institutionalizing mini-publics.
Testing mini-public designs
From WPs 2- 4, we will learn about the main problems of inclusion in Finland; which types of mini-publics gain wide acceptance and legitimacy among citizens, politicians and public officials; and what would be the most appropriate ways to engage currently underrepresented groups. Based on this knowledge, we will pilot the most promising mini-public designs for institutionalized use. The mini-public designs will be tested on a national and regional level, with different topics, and by involving both citizens and politicians. With all designs, we will examine effects on participants and politicians, and the macro effects of the alternate mini-public models.
The main goals are to test models that will:
- link democratic innovations to the institutions of electoral democracy
- embed democratic innovations in the Finnish democratic system
