Learning from the Danish Ministry of Taxation

The aim of this article is to advance the concept of democracy innovation – a concept which has not previously been thoroughly specified in the existing literature on public sector innovation. Democracy innovation refers to innovation that leads to strengthened democracy, due process and legitimacy. As public authorities face claims to be innovative and efficient on the one hand, and accountable guardians of due process and citizen’s rights on the other, innovation activities need to balance these claims. The article is based on a case study of seven innovation projects carried out in the Danish Ministry of Taxation. On the basis of the projects, their methods, aims and outcomes, the article discusses how to specify and understand democracy innovation. It develops suggestions for defining aspects of democracy innovation and thus offers a more specific concept of democracy innovation than has previously been developed. The aspects are: democratic involvement methods; increased citizen competence; a more equal relationship between public authorities and citizens (authority at eye-level); and legitimacy as enhanced by accountability and equity. Lastly, we reflect upon how this definition makes it possible to measure democracy innovation and consider whether the definition can b