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Low turnout, little trust in political institutions and decreasing numbers of party members are well known symptoms of the crisis in consolidated democracies worldwide. The participatory crisis achieved particular virulence in the relatively young democracies in Europe and Asia. On one hand this crisis can be interpreted as a serious threat on democracy. On the other hand it can also be interpreted as particulate phenomena of conventional forms of political participation. New forms of political participation may redefine the significance of established conventions and bear potential for new participatory inclusion and action. In this context graffiti, online social networks, postings and blogs are of particular interest. Our workshop will focus on the following issues: Which functions do new forms of political participation fulfill in the functional logic of democracy? Which potentials for democratisation do these new forms of participation bear for hybrid and non-democratic regimes? Which effects does a specific participatory culture have on citizens’ political participation? Do different and/or more participatory choices lead to more inclusion? How do different forms of participation correspond with each other? Do new forms of participation compensate the crisis of conventional forms of political participation (turnout; party membership etc.)?