Social Planning as a Democratic Process

Social planning is treated as part of a democratic policy process. The social planner's role and ability to fulfill pronounced societal development needs are discussed. In the light of theories on policy-making, such as pluralism and network theories, the way societal needs are formulated into problems for public policies and social planning is clarified.

Relevant theories are introduced with the aim of increasing insight into the different expectations on the social planner as a decision maker. Factors considered to affect the social planner's and other actors' possibilities to achieve changes in the policy process of promoting a more sustainable development are analysed.

Special focus is on different forms of democratic participation in and influence on social planning processes. The interplay between politicians, planners, citizens and stakeholders is analysed on the basis of empirical examples. Also analysed are alternative democracy theories dealing with the role of the social planner in ensuring essential democratic values.

Progressive specialisation: G1F (has less than 60 credits in first‐cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Education level: Undergraduate level

Admission requirements: At least 37.5 ECTS cr from terms 1 and 2 of the Spatial and Social Planning programme (SGSAM, or equivalent

Selection:

Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.

This course is included in the following programme

• Spatial and Social Planning programme (studied during year 1)