ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some of the large amount of literature that discusses participatory decision-making, much of which is concerned with decisions to be made about sustainable development questions. Again the focus is on the literature that applies particularly to 'developed' rather than 'developing' countries. Holden outlines arguments against participatory theory broadly the difficulties in putting theory into practice and the dangers that participatory democracy would in effect turn into totalitarian rule by a minority of extremists of those who decided to participate. To expand a little, Holden broadly conceives of international environmental NGOs as providing a locus for a notion of global democracy, as a balance to state and transnational corporate self-interests. In a more practical vein, cautions that participation or at least equity and social justice can lead to less effective environmental stewardship. Finally, it has hinted, there are myriad ways that citizens can become directly involved in making policy.
