Augustyniak Monika, Optional consultative bodies in the territorial self-government units in Poland and in France - towards a participatory democracy

In the Polish and French territorial self-government direct democracy affects the shape and manner of exercising authority by representatives of self-government authorities. The legislator in both legal systems introduces mechanisms of consultation, examples of which are various types of consultative bodies operating within the municipality (or „commune”, Polish „gmina”), district (Polish „powiat”)/department and voivodship/region. The purpose of their appointment in any legal system is to ensure effective exercise of authority by bodies of territorial self-government units/territorial communities in France and the legitimization of their activities. The social control exercised by residents of territorial communities corresponds with the proper functioning of self-government authorities, often by appointing appropriate consultative...