Drawing on the democratic planning current in planning theories, this article examines the foundations and political issues surrounding private-public partnership such as it has been articulated in, among other places, the urban arena since the 1980s. Following a presentation of the main findings of research into this matter, the author provides an assessment of its scope. Reflecting the institutional crisis, partnership, or more precisely the partnership discourse espoused by the political class, claims to offer avenues of resolution and reconstruction of public legitimacy in the context of globalization. In this regard, it is necessary to consider the nature of the suggested compromises in light of increasing democracy and democratization of the State.