Atributos de la participación. Aproximación a un análisis conceptual

As new knowledge and interpretations emerge, concepts change. When a concept is used, a universal meaning is not always kept in mind. The impression given by the literature on participation is that the same word is used to describe a multitude of conditions or phenomena rather than a single one. This paper will look at diverse definitions and uses of the concept participation in order to explore its meanings and consider if it is possible to discern their common characteristics and recognize their differences in use and meaning. For that purpose, a review of the concept as it appears in general and specialized dictionaries and academic texts from various disciplines, including political philosophy, democratic theory, political sociology, capabilities approach, social and communitarian psychology, was made. To broaden the perspective and focus on the use of the concept, 30 professionals, political leaders and activists who use it regularly were interviewed by email. Analysis made it possible to recognize various common attributes in the definitions of participation. Participation has an intrinsic value; is always related to action; is es- sential to democracy; and combines rational, critical capacities regarding ideas, values, practices and forms of social organization. Results suggest the need to expand the conceptual exploration to include evidence-based studies and interventions in which the concept of participation is used to identify and classify its empirical referents.Keywords: Participation, meanings, uses, attributes.