ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how the philosophical research proves that the hypothesis is possible. The hypothesis of this research monograph is that as participatory budgeting processes become more deliberative, more empowered, and greatly expanded the more participants will experience public happiness, greater understanding of others, greater development of morality, and an increased sense of belonging.
Social provisioning expands on the orthodox concept of provisioning by including intangible benefits in addition to the tangible benefits of food, clothing, and shelter. This study is an investigation into how participatory budgeting can increase its contribution to the social provisioning process.
John Dewey and John Fagg Foster were institutional economists. Dewey proposed using scientific methodology for social inquiry and cautioned about unintended consequences. Foster’s theory of institutional adjustment is used to determine that participatory budgeting should change the way it interacts with municipal bureaucracies. This needs to be done to increase the institutional efficiency of participatory budgeting and allow the recommended changes to have the desired effect.
And finally, social philosophers are beneficial by advocating for a better way of life. Thoreau provides a moral foundation for local direct democracies. And Whitman puts the improvement of democracy into historic perspective.
