Considering Social Dialogue by Rory O'Donnell
From: Concordia Project, June 1999
Partnerships involves a process of deliberation which has the potential to shape and augment understanding, identity and preferences. This problem-solving approach is a central aspect of structured partnership process, which is critical to its effectiveness.
In addition, rather than being the pre-condition for partnership, consensus and shared understanding are more likely to be an outcome.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS
In achieving this, the capacity of social partnership arrangements to be innovative and provide a leadership role in analyzing and preparing for change and exploring new ways of doing things is of crucial importance. However, the value of social partnership is limited to defined policy areas and is not designed to provide a panacea to all of society's economic and social problems.
The relationship to party politics and the role of representative democracy has been particularly highlighted with particular reference to the issue of governance and accountability and defining the relationship between representative democracy and social participation. Research shows that representative democracy is strengthened if appropriately informed by social participation.
There is a growing perception that political structures can themselves be more effective if more appropriate mechanisms are put in place to access the benefits of all sectors and enable them to contribute to effective, modern societies. Evidence has shown that competitive, fair and inclusive societies require mechanisms for open dialogue and promoting productive relations between the public sector and the social partners. A high level of trust is important, which can best be attained by working through structured processes focused on practical issues.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SOCIAL PARTNER
It is now possible to set in context the description of a social partner, emphasizing process rather than structure, and information rather than power. The table below summarises the main issues.
Traditional idea of a Social Partner
New Characteristics of
Social Partners
? producer groups
? actors in a civil society
? bargaining
? information as key resource
? state intervention in economy
? analysis and dialogue
? hierarchy
? shared understanding
In place of the old forms of bargaining, there are new forms of public advocacy - analysis, dialogue, deliberation and shared understanding contributing to problem-solving. This challenges social partner organizations to facilitate analysis and action at local level and feed this into policy at regional level, and again raises the issue of appropriately defining the link between social partnership and representative democracy.
Social partnership arrangements cannot be effective if they are premised
on an outdated view of the power, autonomy and effectiveness of central
government. They will not assist in solving problems if they rely on central
government to design, direct and administer programmes. Involvement brings
responsibilities as well as rights. |
