How the state legitimizes national development projects: The Third Development Axis case study, Slovenia

Maruša Goluža; Maruška Šubic-Kovač; Drago Kos; David Bole

doi:10.3986/AGS.9572

Authors

Maruša Goluža Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2011-1547
Maruška Šubic-Kovač University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Drago Kos University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
David Bole Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Anton Melik Geographical Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2773-0583

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.9572

Keywords:

deliberative governance, post-political spatial planning, qualitative research, citizen participation, transportation planning

Abstract

We analyzed planning mechanisms and evaluated their performance in achieving legitimacy in infrastructure planning in Slovenia. Planning mechanisms were divided according to the concept of input, throughput and output legitimacy. We conducted a document analysis and interviews to assess their effectiveness in achieving legitimate decisions. Although the analyzed decision-making process declaratively promoted democratic principles, the mechanisms failed to satisfactorily enhance the legitimacy of decisions. The study revealed inadequate communication approaches, both in the decision-makers' relationship with the public and within the expert discourse. Accordingly, the study argues for more genuine communication with the public and within academia to address legitimacy challenges in increasingly conflictual decision-making processes.

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