Can participatory democracy be inclusive from a social class perspective?

Redistributive approaches to participatory democracy have paid special attention to the issue of inclusion in assemblies. Also, many empirical studies since the 2000s have contributed with data which show that, in some circumstances, participatory devices mobilize those who were previously excluded. In the present paper, I review the literature and argue that some inclusion methods are effective, i.e., when parties and popular associations assume a clear mobilization compromise, when they encourage cultural battles that enlarge the democratic subject and the frontiers of the debate, and when inclusion tools are part of the institutional design. However, I argue that the current research has not paid sufficient attention to socioeconomic and class inequalities, which would reveal limitations and opportunities regarding the dominant division of labour and the skills which are socially valued. Moreover, studies have not adequately considered the variety of tools that can transfer material resources such as availability, free time for participation, money for transportation, or conciliation opportunities as supports for engagement. Finally, I argue that a more materialist and structural view of inclusion would be essential to advance in the research and practice of redistributive participation models.