ABSTRACT
Citizen involvement is considered the cornerstone of democratic theory and practice. Citizens today have the knowledge and ability to participate more fully in the political, technical, and administrative decisions that affect them. On the other hand, direct citizen participation is often viewed with skepticism, even wariness. Many argue that citizens do not have the time, preparation, or interest to be directly involved in public affairs, and suggest instead that representative democracy, or indirect citizen participation, is the most effective form of government. Some of the very best writings on this key topic - which is at the root of the entire "reinventing government" movement - can be found in the journals that ASPA publishes or sponsors. In this collection Nancy Roberts has brought together the emerging classics on the ongoing debate over citizen involvement. Her detailed introductory essay and section openers frame the key issues, provide historical context, and fill in any gaps not directly covered by the articles. More than just an anthology, "The Age of Direct Citizen Participation" provides a unique and useful framework for understanding this important subject. It is an ideal resource for any Public Administration course involving citizen engagement and performance management.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|15 pages
Direct Citizen Participation
part 2|100 pages
Administrative Theory and Direct Citizen Participation
chapter 2|11 pages
Toward a Public Philosophy of Public Administration
chapter 3|14 pages
Facilitating Community, Enabling Democracy
chapter 6|11 pages
Reinventing Government or Reinventing Ourselves
chapter 7|15 pages
Reframing the Metaphor of the Citizen-Government Relationship
part 3|117 pages
Arenas of Direct Citizen Participation
chapter 13|14 pages
Public Deliberation
part 4|100 pages
Mechanisms of Direct Citizen Participation
chapter 15|10 pages
Institutionalized Use of Citizen Surveys in the Budgetary and Policy-Making Processes
chapter 21|22 pages
Reinventing the Democratic Governance Project Through Information Technology?
part 5|103 pages
Assessments of Direct Citizen Participation
chapter 23|9 pages
Citizen Participation in the Philadelphia Model Cities Program
chapter 25|9 pages
Making Bureaucrats Responsive
chapter 26|18 pages
The Question of Participation
chapter 28|24 pages
Administrative Agents of Democracy?
part 6|50 pages
Building Theories of Direct Citizen Participation
chapter 31|18 pages
From Responsiveness to Collaboration
part 7|10 pages
Direct Citizen Participation: Coming of Age