Public Consultations: Democracy beyond elections

You got your voter ID. You showed up. You pressed the button. Now what?Does democracy live only once every five years—or can it be an everyday habit?In this episode, we unpack one of the most underrated citizen superpowers: public consultation - the space where laws are still drafts, and your voice can actually shape them.We break down what consultations are, where they sit in India’s lawmaking process, and whether feedback truly changes outcomes. With examples from India (disability ID guidelines, housing policy) and global lessons from Taiwan and Malta, we ask: who gets included, what keeps people out, and how can participation rebuild trust—for everyone, not experts.If disengagement is the real threat to democracy, maybe participation is the antidote. Thumbnail photo: Nirmal Kumar Sahu / People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI)Show notes PLCP, 2014- https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s380537a945c7aaa788ccfcdf1b99b5d8f/uploads/2023/02/2023021333.pdf Malta Case Study https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/pm-environment-minister-initiate-consultation-with-students-on-the-white-rocks-national-park/#:~:text=Prime%20Minister%20Robert%20Abela%20and,giving%20back%20to%20the%20people.Taiwan Case study https://epd.eu/content/uploads/2023/07/Case-Study-Taiwan.pdfDisability Certification RPwD Rules Amendment https://www.civis.vote/consultations/819/summary?response_token=c4a51bb7-cbc2-4d59-aa3b-2823ec19eb5e