This paper analyzes European discourses and practices concerning the use of digital tools in the legal framework of participatory democracy, focusing specifically on the French case. If a legal framework is currently developing in France about participatory democracy, it is not really specific to the “local” field, nor is it specific to the use of digital tools. Use of new technologies in local participatory democracy takes place in the general legal framework. Nevertheless, this framework inevitably influences local French practices. In particular, it orientates participative processes towards principles of sincerity, equality, transparence and regularity, even if those principles need to be clarified. These principles are of even more importance ever since the Covid-19 crisis intensified recourse to digital tools. This is notably the case in environmental participation, where these digital tools question the enforcement of the right to take part in environmental decision processes protected by article 7 of the Charter for the Environment.

Notice du Dictionnaire critique et interdisciplinaire de la Participation sur le "Droit de la démocratie participative" : proposition d'une définition, et mise en avant des grandes problématiques qui traversent la question. Le Dicopart est édité par le Gis Démocratie et Participation. En accès libre.