politisko

Politisko is a term used in political theory and civic design to describe a framework that treats politics as a process of continuous public engagement between citizens and institutions. It emphasizes that policy outcomes should be accountable, legible, and contestable, and that governance systems should enable broad participation beyond traditional political actors.

It is a relatively recent coinage appearing in academic discussions and think-tank reports focused on democratic renewal, digital governance, and policy design. Proponents describe politisko as a normative orientation that seeks to align power with transparent mechanisms, rather than as a fixed ideology.

Key ideas include participatory governance, deliberative decision-making, open data, policy feedback loops, independent oversight, and robust institutional checks. Practices associated with politisko include citizen assemblies, participatory budgeting, impact assessments, and transparent performance reporting.

Implementation varies by country and institution. Advocates argue it can improve legitimacy and policy relevance; critics warn of potentially overbearing citizen involvement, the risk of unequal participation, and the resources required for meaningful engagement.

See also: democracy, public policy, governance, participatory democracy, transparency, accountability, civic technology.