What is participatory digital democracy?

This paper asks: What is participatory digital democracy (e-participation)? It is organized in the form of six sections: The introduction summarizes the background. The next analyzes the notion of participatory democracy. We then work out an understanding of e-participation, and analyse how participatory (digital) democracy has been subsumed under the logic of far-right and authoritarian ideology. The conclusion presents a summary and recommendations. Participatory democracy has three key features: self-management; the extension of democracy to society at large; resources and skills that enable participation. We argue for a broad understanding of participatory democracy that goes beyond the political system and includes the economy and culture. Much research on participatory (digital) democracy assumes that participation as such is normatively always positive for society. We argue that participation is not an independent political value as such. It does not always and not necessarily have a positive impact. Participatory (digital) democracy should be combined with constitutional (digital) democracy in order to guarantee the respect of human and basic rights.