ABSTRACT
In this chapter we review what is meant by participative democracy and what has happened in Scotland following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. The principles that underpin the workings of the Scottish Parliament include the development of a participative approach and power sharing with the people. The core of the chapter involves an analysis of the achievements and limitations of the Scottish Parliament in promoting participatory democracy. In particular we examine:
• The argument that democracy demands the existence of a strong sense of community among citizens and whether this exists, or can be enhanced, through the workings of the Scottish Parliament.
