Despite privatization processes most economic activities still operate under or are governed by public administrations. Public administrations are conceived as representing the public good and actively promoting public interests, but it is important to note that their intervention in the free market is first and foremost intended to promote the interests of various pressure groups. It is widely acknowledged that pressure groups are better able to influence the administrative process while weak groups are marginalized and no real credence is attached to their needs. For this reason it is important to create a viable system, which will allow the realization of residents' needs by applying their ability to influence or take part in the decision-making process in public administration. In other words to initiate a model of participatory democracy, which significantly enhances civilian involvement in and benefits from the democratic process.

There are claims that public participation can affect greater representation of residents. Others view it as a decline in the authority of politicians, elected by democratic vote to represent the public. Politicians, bureaucrats and professionals view public participation as an explicit threat to their status and authority and believe that the complexity of the issues cannot permit the involvement of "ordinary" people in the decision-making process. This claim is supported by the intimation that only they act for the public interest and are able to consider the wider perspective.

In light of models of participatory democracy that have been activated in various parts of Israel and worldwide, this paper examines the perceptions of decision-makers in the city of Ashdod with regard to public participation in cultural issues. The choice of Ashdod, the fifth largest city in Israel, is by no means arbitrary, considering the large migration waves which make up its urban fabric and create diverse cultural needs.

The analysis, which is based on professional literature, official data and transcripts as well as on interviews with decision-makers, shows perhaps surprisingly, that there exists a genuine willingness to involve the public in the decision-making process in the city in more than just a few issues, and particularly cultural ones. From a seasoned, albeit guarded point of view and based on the conviction that the process is viable, this study proposes a model adapted to the city's needs, its population and possibilities.