ABSTRACT
Citizen participation in the deliberative process of government appeals to our democratic values; it is the cornerstone of democracy and yet it is a concept that generates controversy and debate and one that is surrounded by dilemmas and ambivalence. The confusion and ambivalence surrounding the appropriate role for citizens in the decision-making process can be partially attributed to the conflicting perspectives of administrative and democratic theory. On one side of the debate are those who believe that citizens should have a direct and active role in the decisions of the state to ensure that government entities do what is right, perform as expected, and act in the best interest of the public. On the other side of the debate are those who favor and support representative democracy and indirect participation. Citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf and trust professional administrators to fairly and efficiently implement public policy. A critical question is to what extent can the administration of a representative government actively and meaningfully involve citizens in public sector decision making?
