ABSTRACT
Post-rational public engagement approaches have the potential to maintain and enhance public faith in planning and policy. They do this by linking specific engagement practices to larger public service goals, including strong democracy and justice. If engagement can strengthen democracy, what does that mean? We know democracy gives citizens the right to choose their government, through free and fair elections. If the goal is to enhance democracy, and in ways that enhance equity, policy analysts and planners must increase equitable opportunities for people and groups who have often been marginalized. Planners and policy analysts can hardly resolve those tensions overnight. But appreciating them can help us cope better—especially when engaging the public on a difficult topic. Public consultation occurs when an agency reaches out to listen to the public, but does not have any form of meaningful dialogue with people about what they tell the agency.
