Public participation can’t be overlooked in tax policy making

Article 10 of the Constitution provides for public participation as one of the national values and principles of good governance. This value gives citizens an opportunity, in addition to their indirect representation through Parliament, to directly contribute to major public decisions and processes affecting them.

The principle of public participation is no doubt an important aspect of the social contract theory, where the citizenry relinquish some of their rights and privileges to the state, pay taxes to maintain the state and in return the state provides basic social services and amenities.