Democracy-driven governance and governance-driven democratization in Barcelona and Nantes

The paper develops an analytical framework derived from previous work explaining the institutionalisation of participatory governance (Bussu 2012; Fung and Wright 2003; Heller 2001). Our aim is to use this framework to develop knowledge as to the conditions under which Democracy-driven-governance (Bua and Bussu, 2021) develops, flourishes and is sustained or undermined. To this end we draw on a comparison of Nantes and Barcelona, two cities with similar governance histories and contextual features, but with variation on the recent development of DDG in Barcelona. This chapter explains this divergence, seeking to identify conditions that support DDG. The next section presents our analytical framework; we then use to examine key features of both cases. Finally, we draw out comparative lessons on the conditions for the development of DDG.