Modernizing Democracy

Can government agencies run efficiently while still answering to the public they serve? This collection takes up that tension, asking how the professional standards and technical know-how of public administrators can coexist with the ideals of representation and public engagement. It also considers how digital tools are reshaping contact between residents and officials, sometimes making dialogue easier and sometimes making it harder.

The volume gathers fresh studies of participation methods in use today. They range from hands-on community learning sessions and focus groups to sophisticated information systems and decision-support software. Each contribution examines a different approach to bringing citizens into government work.

The contributors focus on what administrators and public leaders can do to encourage meaningful involvement at every stage of policy making, from the moment an issue is raised through planning and on to residents' feedback about how well an agency performs. The book is intended for public administration professionals, researchers, and students.