Forms of public participation in local self-government: Argentina’s experience in the context of reforming the Russian legislation

Abstract

In the context of the ongoing municipal reform in Russia, improving the mechanisms of public participation in municipal governance should become one of the priority areas. This circumstance raises the issue of a comprehensive study of relevant foreign experience. This article examines the regional legislation of Argentina in terms of regulating the forms of participation of the population in the implementation of local self-government. The author provides a comprehensive systematic study of the legal framework for ensuring public participation in the implementation of local self-government in Argentina. The article puts emphasis on such forms of participation forms, as elections, referendums, recall of elected officials, participation of the population in the discussion of various issues through the use of various mechanisms, and the creation of decentralized territorial entities. Based on a combination of comparative legal and comprehensive research methods, the author concludes that certain mechanisms for involving the population in decision-making at the local level can be considered within the framework of the Russian legal order. Attention is drawn to improving the procedure for recalling elected officials, increasing the degree of population participation in reforming the territorial foundations of the organization of municipal government, ensuring the participation of residents of individual localities in the implementation of local self-government during the consolidation of municipalities, and the institutionalization of local communities. An analysis of the Argentine experience in this part can serve as an aid for improving Russian legislation.