Welke eigen richting?: Wat een democratisch perspectief op burgerinitiatieven in het veiligheidsdomein laat zien over veiligheidsopvattingen

Abstract

Citizen participation is flourishing in the field of public safety and security. Research into autonomous citizen initiatives typically adopts an instrumental lens, evaluating them according to the degree to which they exhibit vigilantist traits. This article examines three common types of citizen initiatives through the lens of do democracy and explores their relationship to government action. Qualitative analysis shows that their security views do not fundamentally differ from those of the government, yet they express a desire to go beyond current state action. Even without vigilantism, initiatives may still require boundaries when they serve only their own group or target specific others.