Marjan Horst Ehsassi is the Executive Director of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy (FIDE) in North America. Specializing in democratic innovations, she has studied the impact of citizens’ assemblies in France, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.
Missions Publiques: Can you tell us about your background and what led you to the world of citizens’ assemblies?
Marjan Horst Ehsassi: I came to the world of citizens’ assemblies in a rather indirect way. For about 15 years, I worked in international development, focusing on governance and rule of law issues, always on an international level. After the 2016 election, I decided to shift my focus to the U.S. and the persistent democratic deficits we face. I wanted to dig deeper, so I went back to school to pursue a doctoral degree.
My interest lay in understanding why citizens in Western democracies, in particular, are so disengaged from their political institutions. The second part of my research sought to discover whether platforms exist that, once people engage with them, could encourage further participation in political life or democracy in general. Through this research, I learned about deliberative democracy and citizens’ assemblies, just as Emmanuel Macron launched France’s first Citizens’ Convention on Climate. I joined the research towards the end of that project, conducting surveys and interviewing participants, facilitators, advocates and government implementers.
Missions Publiques: Your book Activated Citizenship: The Transformative Power of Citizens’ Assemblies(1) explores learnings from various case studies on citizens’ assemblies around the world.
Marjan Horst Ehsassi: My book examines four case studies of citizens’ assemblies, each with a unique approach and context. One of my main goals was to understand the different impacts these assemblies had on citizens’ experiences and engagement. To do this, I defined five variables: Epistemic growth (or learning), Connectedness (a sense of community), Effervescence (enthusiasm for democracy), Political engagement, and Consequential voice (the feeling that one’s has an impact).
A central concept in my work is “voice insecurity.” This reflects the powerlessness many citizens feel when they doubt that their voice can make a meaningful difference. I see this “voice insecurity” as a primary reason for the disengagement and disillusionment many people feel toward democracy. Citizens’ assemblies can address this issue by offering citizens a consequential voice, showing them that their contributions matter and are valued.
What also stood out to me when comparing these cases was how much the design and implementation of assemblies influence their outcomes. Small decisions—such as how educational content is presented, whether by a single speaker or a diverse panel—can significantly affect participants’ levels of engagement and satisfaction. For instance, the presence of government representatives when balanced and measured can shape how meaningful participants perceive their involvement to be. These seemingly minor details can make the experience much more impactful for participants and amplify the overall influence of the assembly.
"I believe the challenge over the next four years will be twofold: protecting democratic institutions from authoritarian tendencies while simultaneously renewing our vision of democracy.
Marjan Horst Ehsassi
Executive Director of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy in North America
Missions Publiques: You propose a “Blueprint for Activated Citizenship” to maximize the impact of citizens’ assemblies.
Marjan Horst Ehsassi: I propose a set of ten key recommendations. The first aims to conduct rigorous evaluations of citizens’ assemblies. This involves encouraging constructive criticism, meaning recognizing the imperfections of the processes and engaging in honest discussions about what worked and what did not. This approach allows for thorough evaluations and continuous improvements. Next, I propose establishing governance, oversight, and independence structures to ensure evidence management and transparency in the processes. Improving the training of facilitators is also essential, by providing resources and greater rigor to train moderators capable of effectively managing discussions and ensuring equitable participation. Additionally, producing actionable reports by limiting the number of proposals and providing well-thought-out justifications for each is crucial. This helps translate results into concrete actions. Other measures focus on informing the general public, fostering co-responsibility, and recognizing governments’ duty to promote an informed citizenship.
Missions Publiques: What is your perspective on the evolution of public participation in the United States, especially considering recent political events?
Marjan Horst Ehsassi: The concept of public participation varies widely between the U.S. and other countries. Terms like “democratic innovations” don’t resonate here as they do in Europe. In the U.S., we are more likely to speak in terms of “constituent outreach” or “citizen engagement.”
When I initially considered citizens’ assemblies in the U.S., I hoped to see more of them at all levels—local, state, and national. But I quickly realized that there is a broader messaging imperative. It’s not so much about the assemblies themselves but about a shift in our understanding of democracy and the role of government in between elections. Without a broader conversation about democratic culture, it’s challenging to integrate these practices meaningfully.
We are seeing an evolution. This change will likely continue to expand at the local level, where there’s greater openness to experimenting with new democratic forms. Local leaders—mayors, city managers, council members—often feel that traditional participation methods, like public consultations, no longer work. These methods tend to involve the same “usual suspects,” leading to repetitive and polarized outcomes. As a result, we’re seeing more cities interested in trying something new, even if it takes time to cultivate these concepts.
My hope is that these local initiatives also support a national movement, perhaps something akin to the G1000 movement in Belgium, where grassroots efforts create collective momentum for a more inclusive democracy.
Missions Publiques: What challenges lie ahead for democracy in the United States?
Marjan Horst Ehsassi: I believe the challenge over the next four years will be twofold: protecting democratic institutions from authoritarian tendencies while simultaneously renewing our vision of democracy.
We need to offer Americans a vision of institutional democratic reform that works for them. Talking about “saving democracy” without addressing citizens’ disillusionment and deep frustrations won’t be enough. Holding these two objectives—protection and renewal—simultaneously will be critical for the future.
