LAUSR

ABSTRACT This article uses participatory budgeting as an entry point to explore the relationship between race, citizenship, and participatory democracy. Drawing on theories of racial neoliberalism, I arguethat in Chicago (United States), heavy emphasis on the representation of Black and Hispanic residents has been based on simplistic demographic measures of diversity. This focus obfuscates morecomplex racial dynamics that limit involvement for residents whoare racialized and/or undocumented. The use of participatory budgeting as a politicalbranding tool closely ties the reputation of the local elected officialto the success of the process in engaging diverse constituents. This curtails the motivation of elected officials to address theshortcomings of the process openly. Detailed examinationof the racial dynamics of participatory budgeting in Chicagosuggests the need to push beyond representative approaches toracial inclusion to challenge structural inequities.