Download or read book Empowering Public Wisdom written by Tom Atlee and published by North Atlantic Books. This book was released on 2012 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Beyond elections, public participation, and citizen input, democracy must produce wise public policy or we're in real trouble. In Empowering Public Wisdom, lifelong activist Tom Atlee proposes innovative and practical ideas for collecting and distilling the wisdom of ordinary people in order to infuse the political process with common sense and provide people with ownership of the process. Empowering Public Wisdom recognizes currently popular forms of progressive democracy advocates, such as citizen participation and voter education, but suggests that what is really needed is a re-thinking of the very concept of democracy; Atlee advocates the use of ""public wisdom,"" a collective intelligence that can be drawn upon to guide public policy and action. Reaching beyond partisan politics, Atlee explores how a diversity of views can be engaged around public issues in ways that generate a coherent, shared ""voice of the people"" that takes most or all of the population's perspectives and needs into account. Atlee's core approach is through ""citizen deliberative councils,"" in which a small group of people randomly selected creates a ""mini-public"" or a microcosm of the

Download or read book Empowering Citizens Engaging the Public written by Rainer Eisfeld and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-02-12 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is the first comprehensive study to respond to the ongoing debates on political sciences’ fragmentation, doubtful relevance, and disconnect with the larger public. It explores the implications of the argument that political science ought to become more topic-driven, more relevant and more comprehensible for "lay" audiences. Consequences would include evolving a culture of public engagement, challenging tendencies toward liars’ rule, and emphasizing the role of “large” themes in academic education and research, the latter being identified as those areas where severe democratic erosion is occurring – such as escalating income and wealth disparities pushing democracy towards plutocracy, ubiquitous change triggering insecurity and aggression, racist prejudice polarizing societies, and counter-terrorism strategies subverting civil liberties. Political science needs to address these pressing problems ahead of other issues by in-depth research and broadly accessible public narratives, including solution-orientated normative notions. This need provides the final justification for evolving a discipline where problems would take priority over methods and public relevance over sophisticated specialization.

Download or read book Innovative Citizen Participation and New Democratic Institutions Catching the Deliberative Wave written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2020-06-10 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Public authorities from all levels of government increasingly turn to Citizens' Assemblies, Juries, Panels and other representative deliberative processes to tackle complex policy problems ranging from climate change to infrastructure investment decisions. They convene groups of people representing a wide cross-section of society for at least one full day – and often much longer – to learn, deliberate, and develop collective recommendations that consider the complexities and compromises required for solving multifaceted public issues.

Download or read book Results that Matter written by Paul D. Epstein and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2006-02-10 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today's communities—whether they are currently strong, or struggling to survive—face difficult challenges if they want to be tomorrow's healthy, vibrant communities. The challenge for leaders and citizens of modern communities is not just to solve specific problems today. Their real challenge is to keep learning from their experience so they can keep improving their communities tomorrow. Results That Matter will provide a new governance framework for using valuable tools of community improvement—especially performance measurement and citizen engagement—to empower communities to achieve the outcomes their citizens most desire. Government and nonprofit managers will learn how to combine these tools in new ways, not only to achieve one-time improvement of their organizations and communities, but to foster continual community renewal and improvement. The benefits and practicality of the framework and related practices will be reinforced by case examples from 25 communities across the country. The book will offer "how to" guidance to public and nonprofit managers, including promising practices for effective communities, and new roles for citizens, community leaders, and managers.

Download or read book Awakening Democracy through Public Work written by Harry C. Boyte and published by Vanderbilt University Press. This book was released on 2018-11-15 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the face of authoritarian, divisive trends and multiplying crises, when politics-as-usual is stymied, Awakening Democracy through Public Work shows it is possible to build foundations for a democratic awakening grounded in deep American traditions of a citizen-centered commonwealth. Awakening Democracy through Public Work begins with the story of Public Achievement, a youth civic education and empowerment initiative with roots in the civil rights movement. It describes Public Achievement's first home in St. Bernard's, a low-income Catholic elementary school in St. Paul, Minnesota, and how the program spread across the country and then abroad, giving birth to the larger concept of public work. In Public Achievement, young people practice "citizen politics" as they tackle issues ranging from bullying, racism, and sexual harassment to playground improvements, curriculum changes, and better school lunches. They develop everyday political skills for working across differences and making constructive change. Such citizen politics, more like jazz than a set piece of music, involves the interplay and negotiation of diverse interests and views, sometimes contentious, sometimes harmonious. Public Achievement highlights young people's roles as co-creators—builders of schools, communities, and democratic society. They are not citizens in waiting, but active citizens who do public work. Awakening Democracy through Public Work also describes how public work can find expression in many kinds of work, from education and health to business and government. It is relevant across the sweep of society. People have experimented with the idea of public work in hundreds of settings in thirty countries, from Northern Ireland and Poland to Ghana and Japan. In Burundi it birthed a national initiative to rework relations between villagers and police. In South Africa it helped people in poor communities to see themselves as problem solvers rather than simply consumers of government services. In the US, at Denison University, public work is being integrated into dorm life. At Maxfield School in St. Paul, it is transforming special education. In rural Missouri, it led to the "emPowerU" initiative of the Heartland Foundation, encouraging thousands of young people to stay in the region. In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it generated "Clear Vision," a program providing government support for citizen-led community improvements. Public work has expanded into the idea of "citizen professionals" working with other citizens, not on them or for them. It has also generated the idea of "civic science," in which scientists see themselves as citizens and science as a resource for civic empowerment. Awakening Democracy through Public Work shows that we can free the productive powers of people to work across lines and differences to build a better society and create grounded hope for the future.

Download or read book Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy written by Tina Nabatchi and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-05-26 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive text on the theory and practice of public participation Written by two leaders in the field, Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy explores the theory and practice of public participation in decision-making and problem-solving. It examines how public participation developed over time to include myriad thick, thin, and conventional opportunities, occurring in both face-to-face meetings and online settings. The book explores the use of participation in various arenas, including education, health, land use, and state and federal government. It offers a practical framework for thinking about how to engage citizens effectively, and clear explanations of participation scenarios, tactics, and designs. Finally, the book provides a sensible approach for reshaping our participation infrastructure to meet the needs of public officials and citizens. The book is filled with illustrative examples of innovative participatory activities, and numerous sources for more information. This important text puts the spotlight on the need for long-term, cross-sector, participation planning, and provides guidance for leaders, citizens, activists, and others who are determined to improve the ways that participation and democracy function. Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy: Helps students and practitioners understand the history, theory, and practice of public participation Contains a wealth of case studies that explore the application of public participation in different settings Covers vital issues such as education, health, land use, and state and federal government Has accompanying instructor resources, such as PowerPoint slides, discussion questions, sample assignments, case studies and research from www.participedia.net, and classroom activities.

Download or read book Civic Innovation in America written by Carmen Sirianni and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2001-07 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A new philosophy of organizing is afoot in the land. It works with, as well as opposing, City Hall. It forms ongoing relationships. It takes the long view. It works from the bottom up. It deliberates about ends and means. It crafts voluntary agreements. It fosters common work. After reading this book, you think, 'Maybe we are entering a new era of citizen activism and self-government.' We've learned. I recommend this book to any activist, and to anyone who wants to understand activism in America."—Jane Mansbridge, Adams Professor of Political Leadership and Democratic Values, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University "This book is an extraordinarily useful and comprehensive account of the wave of renewal that is occurring in the United States today. . . . Americans should read this excellent book."—John Gardner, founder of Common Cause and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare "Civic Innovation in America by Carmen Sirianni and Lewis Friedland is a wonderful book, rich in insights and stories of the growth of civic learning, dazzling in its facility with issues of contemporary democratic and social theory. It is also a book of democratic hope. As the authors weave together an account of the steady accumulation of learning that has developed over the last generation, they also help to give this growing movement depth and visibility and self-consciousness. Civic Innovation in America not only chronicles the broad and diverse stirrings of a movement for democratic revitalization, it aids in bringing the movement into being. It could not come at a more crucial time."—Harry Boyte, Co-Director, Center for Democracy and Citizenship, University of Minnesota "This book offers a fresh, innovative approach to social movements, especially with its focus on the emergence of partnership strategies (as distinct from more purely adversarial strategies). The book reminds us of the importance of designing public policies that build civic capacity. There is important and insightful information here for scholars, agency professionals, and community activists alike."—Anne Schneider, Dean of the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University "Civic Innovation in America is a remarkably detailed catalog of major efforts at civic renewal in health, the environment, journalism, and community organizing—taking place in scores of cities and towns around the country in the past 20 years. Yes—vital, innovative, in-the-trenches civic work in the midst of the Reagan-Bush-New-Democrat era. To document these efforts and to persuasively show in them common origins, common patterns, and common problems is a civic achievement in itself. Sirianni and Friedland not only describe important social change but contribute to it."—Michael Schudson, Professor of Communication, University of California, San Diego

Download or read book Participatory Budgeting and Civic Tech written by Hollie Russon Gilman and published by Georgetown University Press. This book was released on 2016 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Participatory budgeting is one of the most promising innovations in twenty-first century democracy. It was pioneered abroad but made its first appearance in the United States in 2009 in Chicago local government. Participatory budgeting empowers citizens to identify community needs, work with elected officials to craft budget proposals, and vote on where and how to spend public funds. It is effective at engaging citizens to be meaningful participants in democracy. Unlike other forms of civic engagement, participatory budgeting involves spending real public money on the priorities that the community identifies. Participatory budgeting is catching on in cities across the United States such as Chicago, New York, Boston, Detroit, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Hollie Russon Gilman has written a brief and accessible introduction to participatory budgeting in the United States. This Digital Short will be ideal reading for students and practitioners.

Download or read book Empowered Participation written by Archon Fung and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2009-01-10 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every month in every neighborhood in Chicago, residents, teachers, school principals, and police officers gather to deliberate about how to improve their schools and make their streets safer. Residents of poor neighborhoods participate as much or more as those from wealthy ones. All voices are heard. Since the meetings began more than a dozen years ago, they have led not only to safer streets but also to surprising improvements in the city's schools. Chicago's police department and school system have become democratic urban institutions unlike any others in America. Empowered Participation is the compelling chronicle of this unprecedented transformation. It is the first comprehensive empirical analysis of the ways in which participatory democracy can be used to effect social change. Using city-wide data and six neighborhood case studies, the book explores how determined Chicago residents, police officers, teachers, and community groups worked to banish crime and transform a failing city school system into a model for educational reform. The author's conclusion: Properly designed and implemented institutions of participatory democratic governance can spark citizen involvement that in turn generates innovative problem-solving and public action. Their participation makes organizations more fair and effective. Though the book focuses on Chicago's municipal agencies, its lessons are applicable to many American cities. Its findings will prove useful not only in the fields of education and law enforcement, but also to sectors as diverse as environmental regulation, social service provision, and workforce development.

Download or read book Active Citizenry in a Democracy written by Arthur Nieklaassen and published by . This book was released on 2023-12-10 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Active Citizenry in a Democracy: Unlocking the Power of Engagement In today's world, democracy is held up as the ideal government system, emphasizing the people's rule and the protection of individual rights and freedoms. However, the success of a democracy is dependent on the active engagement of its citizens. Without the participation of the people in the political process, democracy becomes nothing more than a hollow shell devoid of the vitality and life that are its hallmarks. In "Active Citizenry in a Democracy: Unlocking the Power of Engagement," author Arthur Nieklaassen explores the importance of citizen involvement in a democracy and provides a roadmap for individuals to become active and engaged participants in their government. Nieklaassen begins by examining the historical and philosophical underpinnings of democracy, tracing its development from the ancient Greek city-states to the modern nation-state. He argues that at the heart of democracy lies the concept of active citizenry, where individuals actively shape the policies and decisions that affect their lives. Drawing on the writings of political theorists such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Stuart Mill, Nieklaassen elucidates the idea that democracy is not simply a system of government but a way of life that requires the ongoing participation of its citizens. The author then turns his attention to the various barriers preventing citizens from actively engaging in the political process. These barriers can take many forms, including apathy, mistrust of the government, and a lack of understanding of the political system. Nieklaassen argues that overcoming these barriers is essential for the health and vitality of democracy, and he provides practical strategies for individuals to overcome these obstacles and become active participants in their government. From grassroots activism to local government participation, Nieklaassen shows how ordinary citizens can make a tangible difference in the democratic process. One of the book's key themes is the idea that democracy is not a spectator sport but requires the active involvement of its citizens. In a democracy, government is meant to be of the people, by the people. For the people, this can only be achieved through the active engagement of individuals in the political process. Nieklaassen explores how citizens can participate in their government, from voting in elections to engaging in public debate and dialogue. He emphasizes the importance of civic education and the need for individuals to be informed and engaged in the issues that affect their community and their nation. "Active Citizenry in a Democracy: Unlocking the Power of Engagement" also delves into democratic citizenship, exploring the rights and responsibilities of living in a democratic society. Nieklaassen argues that being a good citizen means more than just obeying the laws; it means actively contributing to the common good and working towards a more just and equitable society. The book provides practical guidance on how individuals can become more involved in their communities and positively impact the world around them. "Active Citizenry in a Democracy: Unlocking the Power of Engagement" is a timely and essential book exploring citizen involvement's critical role in a democracy. Through thoughtful analysis and practical guidance, the book empowers individuals to actively participate in their government and work towards a more vibrant and inclusive democracy. By unlocking the power of citizen engagement, Nieklaassen's book provides a roadmap for individuals to make a meaningful difference in their communities and help shape the future of their nation.

Download or read book Design as Democracy written by David de la Pena and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2017-12-07 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How can we design places that fulfill urgent needs of the community, achieve environmental justice, and inspire long-term stewardship? By bringing community members to the table with designers to collectively create vibrant, important places in cities and neighborhoods. For decades, participatory design practices have helped enliven neighborhoods and promote cultural understanding. Yet, many designers still rely on the same techniques that were developed in the 1950s and 60s. These approaches offer predictability, but hold waning promise for addressing current and future design challenges. Design as Democracy is written to reinvigorate democratic design, providing inspiration, techniques, and case stories for a wide range of contexts. Edited by six leading practitioners and academics in the field of participatory design, with nearly 50 contributors from around the world, it offers fresh insights for creating meaningful dialogue between designers and communities and for transforming places with justice and democracy in mind.

Download or read book The Right to the Smart City written by Paolo Cardullo and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2019-06-07 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Globally, Smart Cities initiatives are pursued which reproduce the interests of capital and neoliberal government, rather than wider public good. This book explores smart urbanism and 'the right to the city', examining citizenship, social justice, commoning, civic participation, and co-creation to imagine a different kind of Smart City.

Download or read book Empowering Public Wisdom written by Tom Atlee and published by North Atlantic Books. This book was released on 2012-08-07 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lifelong activist Tom Atlee proposes innovative ways to distill the wisdom of ordinary people in order to better guide public policy. In Empowering Public Wisdom, Atlee recognizes currently popular forms of progressive democracy advocates, such as citizen participation and voter education, but suggests that what is really needed is a re-thinking of the very concept of democracy; Atlee advocates the use of "public wisdom," a collective intelligence that can be drawn upon to guide public policy and action. Reaching beyond partisan politics, Atlee explores how a diversity of views can be engaged around public issues in ways that generate a coherent, shared "voice of the people" that takes most or all of the population's perspectives and needs into account. Atlee's core approach is through "citizen deliberative councils," in which a small group of people randomly selected creates a "mini-public" or a microcosm of the larger population. Citizen councils engage in the study of a public issue and make recommendations to public officials and the community, but disband afterward; when a new issue arises, a new council is formed. Ultimately, Atlee aims even higher, suggesting a possible fourth branch of government to better balance our current democratic system. Combining a radical vision with practical solutions, Empowering Public Wisdom provides a unique and refreshing voice in the political arena. Empowering Public Wisdom is part of the EVOLVER EDITIONS Manifesto Series.

Download or read book Co Production and Co Creation written by Taco Brandsen and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-03-15 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Co-production and co-creation occur when citizens participate actively in delivering and designing the services they receive. It has come increasingly onto the agenda of policymakers, as interest in citizen participation has more generally soared. Expectations are high and it is regarded as a possible solution to the public sector’s decreased legitimacy and dwindling resources, by accessing more of society’s capacities. In addition, it is seen as part of a more general drive to reinvigorate voluntary participation and strengthen social cohesion in an increasingly fragmented and individualized society. "Co-Production and Co-Creation: Engaging Citizens in Public Services" offers a systematic and comprehensive theoretical and empirical examination of the concepts of co-production and co-creation and their application in practice. It shows the latest state of knowledge on the topic and will be of interest both to students at an advanced level, academics and reflective practitioners. It addresses the topics with regard to co-production and co-creation and will be of interest to researchers, academics, policymakers, and students in the fields of public administration, business administration, economics, political science, public management, political science service management, sociology and voluntary sector studies.

Download or read book The Public Participation Handbook written by James L. Creighton and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2005-03-11 with total page 285 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Internationally renowned facilitator and public participation consultant James L. Creighton offers a practical guide to designing and facilitating public participation of the public in environmental and public policy decision making. Written for government officials, public and community leaders, and professional facilitators, The Public Participation Handbook is a toolkit for designing a participation process, selecting techniques to encourage participation, facilitating successful public meetings, working with the media, and evaluating the program. The book is also filled with practical advice, checklists, worksheets, and illustrative examples.

Download or read book Informed Choices Why Voter s Education Matters written by Genalin Jimenez and published by Genalin Jimenez. This book was released on with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a world where democracy stands as a beacon of hope and progress, the significance of informed voting cannot be overstated. "Informed Choices: Why Voter’s Education Matters" encapsulates the essence of voter's education, a cornerstone of democratic governance. Voter's education serves as the bedrock upon which the edifice of democracy rests, empowering citizens with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to participate meaningfully in the political process, make informed choices at the ballot box, and hold elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions. At its core, voter's education is about empowering citizens to engage with the democratic process in a meaningful and informed manner. It is about providing citizens with the information and resources they need to understand the electoral process, the issues at stake in elections, and the positions and priorities of candidates and parties. By equipping citizens with this knowledge, voter's education enables them to make informed decisions that reflect their values, interests, and aspirations, thereby strengthening the integrity and legitimacy of democratic governance. Voter's education is not just about casting a ballot; it is about fostering a culture of civic engagement and participation that is essential for the health and vitality of democracy. It is about empowering citizens to take ownership of their role in the political process, to advocate for their interests, and to contribute to the collective well-being of society. Voter's education encourages citizens to stay informed about current events, to engage in informed dialogue and debate about the issues that matter to them, and to participate in civic activities such as community organizing, volunteering, and public service. Moreover, voter's education is about promoting transparency and accountability in government. By educating citizens about their rights and responsibilities as voters, voter's education programs empower citizens to demand openness, honesty, and integrity from their elected officials. Voter's education fosters a culture of accountability that holds elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions, and that promotes responsive and representative governance. In a world where disinformation and misinformation proliferate, voter's education serves as a bulwark against the erosion of trust in democratic institutions. By teaching citizens how to critically evaluate information, distinguish fact from fiction, and engage in reasoned debate, voter's education programs help inoculate society against the dangers of propaganda and manipulation. Voter's education promotes media literacy, critical thinking skills, and civic responsibility, empowering citizens to be vigilant guardians of democracy in an age of information overload. The importance of voter's education extends beyond national borders, transcending cultural, political, and geographical boundaries. In countries around the world, voter's education initiatives are empowering citizens to exercise their democratic rights and contribute to the collective governance of society. From voter registration drives and civic education programs to public awareness campaigns and community outreach events, voter's education efforts are transforming the landscape of democracy and building a more informed, engaged, and accountable citizenry. As we look to the future, the need for voter's education has never been more urgent. In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, the challenges facing democracy are complex and multifaceted. From the rise of authoritarianism and populism to the threats posed by disinformation and digital manipulation, the integrity of democratic governance is under siege. In this context, voter's education stands as a beacon of hope, a powerful tool for empowering citizens, strengthening democratic institutions, and defending the principles of democracy against threats and challenges. Informed Choices: Why Voter’s Education Matters is not just a slogan; it is a rallying cry for all those who believe in the power of democracy to bring about positive change. It is a reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport; it is a participatory endeavor that requires the active engagement and commitment of all citizens. By investing in voter's education, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come, a future where democracy thrives, and where informed choices lead to stronger, more resilient democracies.

Download or read book Putting Citizens First written by Anzsog and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the ways in which governments are putting citizens first in their policy-making endeavours. Making citizens the focus of policy interventions and involving them in the delivery and design is for many governments a normative ideal; it is a worthy objective and sounds easy to achieve. But the reality is that putting citizens at the centre of policy-making is hard and confronting. Are governments really serious in their ambitions to put citizens first? Are they prepared for the challenges and demands such an approach will demand? Are they prepared to commit the time and resources to ensure genuine engagement takes place and that citizens' interests are considered foremost? And, more importantly, are governments prepared for the trade-offs, risks and loss of control such citizen-centric approaches will inevitably involve? The book is divided into five parts: - setting the scene: The evolving landscape for citizen engagement - drivers for change: Innovations in citizen-centric governance - case studies in land management and Indigenous empowerment - case studies in fostering community engagement and connectedness - case studies engaging with information technology and new media. While some chapters question how far governments can go in engaging with citizens, many point to successful examples of actual engagement that enhanced policy experiences and improved service delivery. The various authors make clear that citizen engagement is not restricted to the domain of service delivery, but if taken seriously affects the ways governments conduct their activities across all agencies. The implications are enormous, but the benefits to public policy may be enormous too.