ABSTRACT
The health of our democracy is contingent upon the ability of citizens to be directly involved in the governance process and have an impact on the decisions and policies that impact their lives. However, there is continuous debate about the feasibility of direct participation. Some contend that citizens do not have the time or interest to make informed decisions, while others argue that indirect participation serves as a check on government corruption. Amid the discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of direct citizen participation is the question of how a representative government can actively accommodate citizens in public decision making.
