Deliberativ demokrati och valdemokrati - i harmoni eller konflikt?

Sammanfattning: How a citizen dialogue or planning consultation is conducted can be a root cause of planning contests in new construction projects. The aim of the paper is to study the effects of the citizensial dialogue in connection with the local development “Muminlandet” theme park at Skutberget. This study explores how the citizen dialogue have been done in Karlstad and tries to look at it in different democracy perspectives. The method used is qualitative semi-structured individual interviews with politicians, civil servants and citizens in order to gain their view of the process. The study analysis shows that the development of Skutberget area in Karlstad municipality has been divided into two separate plans. In one part, which is the outdoor recreational area, citizen dialogue has taken place with deliberative aspects in the form of focus groups and direct dialogues with the citizens. The second part is about “Muminparken” and it has been planned for public consultation meeting. Citizens have only given comments on this plan, but have not had the possibility to have a direct dialog with the people in charge, so no deliberative talks have been achieved. The conclusion that follows is that there has been no opportunity for citizens to enter into dialogue with the municipality regarding the “Muminpark”. The conclusion that follows is that there has been a certain tension between the representatives from my interviews and the citizens. They see the building plan from two different perspectives.