Deliberative Democracy, Public Policy, and Local Government (Public Administration and Public Policy)

This book examines deliberative democracy and its practical forms and applications in local government public policy. Author Joanna PodgÃ3rska-RykaÅ•a explores the topic of democracy, leaning in particular on the origins of its representative variant. Analyzing the elite dimension of the concept of representation, she considers what historical and political events have influenced the contemporary shape of democracy and its understanding. How were democratic ideals shaped, and why are we currently experiencing a democratic recession? Why is the debate that should be integral to the functioning of collegiate bodies disappearing? Why arenâ••t decisions based on evidence, and why donâ••t decision-makers take into account expert opinions and stakeholder positions? Drawing on empirical research â•• interviews with city-level decision-makers â•• the author considers whether and how deliberative innovation can support the renewal of decision-making in representative institutions.Deliberative Democracy, Public Policy, and Local Government will be of enormous interest to doctoral students and researchers as well as to practitioners of local government administration, civic leaders, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, and people interested in public affairs. It can also be used as an important supplement in courses on public administration, political science, international relations, law, economics, and related studies at both the undergraduate and the graduate level. Cover Endorsement Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface References Acknowledgments Introduction References 1 Scope, Approach, and Methods 1.1 Interpretive Research in Political Science 1.2 Interview as a Qualitative-Interpretive Research Technique 1.3 Methodological Pluralism 1.4 Justification for Selecting the Case of Polish Cities for Empirical Research 1.5 The Collection of the Empirical Data 1.6 The Cases 1.7 Conclusion: Generate Change Locally Notes References 2 Representative Democracy: Decisions Are Made By Decision-Makers 2.1 Feudal Roots of Representative Democracy and Its Subsequent Evolution 2.2 Representative Democracy as a Space for Elite Formation: the Top of the Pyramid Is Much Smaller Than the Bottom 2.3 The Theory of Competitive Leadership: “People Cannot Be Carried Up the Ladder” 2.4 Elites in Other Political Science Concepts 2.5 Local Elites: Chicago School 2.6 Could Something Replace Representative Bodies? Snapshots From the Interviews 2.7 Conclusion: Does Innovation Have the Power to Overcome Political Constraints? References 3 Public Policy: Everything Is About Everything 3.1 Effective Policy Planning 3.2 Collective Decision-Making Procedures 3.3 Public Interest Versus Policy Analysis Criteria 3.4 Rational Policymaking Process 3.5 Credibility in Politics Versus the Short-Sightedness of Politicians and a Temporary State of Equilibrium 3.6 Is Public Policy Also “Just About Politics”? Snapshots From Interviews 3.7 Conclusion: the Need for Argumentative Debate at the Center of the Public Policy Process References 4 Democracy: Governing Through Discussion 4.1 Is Democracy Possible Without Debate? 4.2 Arguments at the Heart of the Public Debate 4.3 Experts’ Role in the Decision-Making Process 4.4 Information Sources – How to Make the Invisible World Visible to Citizens? 4.5 In Search of an Expert in Thinking 4.6 Lack of Discussion, Argument, and Subject Matter Preparation By Decision-Makers? Snapshots From the Interviews 4.7 Conclusion: Can Representative Assemblies Be Spaces of Collective Wisdom? References 5 Is Deliberative Innovation the Answer to the Crisis of Representative Democracy? 5.1 Disillusionment and Crisis of Representative Democracy 5.2 Inclusive Political Culture as a Material Guarantee of Democracy 5.3 Is Deliberation Entirely New? 5.4 Deliberative Democracy From a Systemic Perspective 5.5 Innovative Small-Scale Debate Forums: Deliberative Mini-Publics 5.6 Discussion of Public Issues Can Be Substantive. Snapshots From Interviews 5.7 Conclusion: New Institutions in an Old Framework? References 6 Key Findings: How Can the Mini-Public’s Experience Support the Renewal of the Decision-Making Process of Representative Institutions? References Index This book examines deliberative democracy and its practical forms and applications in local government public policy. Author Joanna Podgórska-Rykała explores the topic of democracy, leaning in particular on the origins of its representative variant. Analyzing the elite dimension of the concept of representation, she considers what historical and political events have influenced the contemporary shape of democracy and its understanding. How were democratic ideals shaped, and why are we currently experiencing a democratic recession? Why is the debate that should be integral to the functioning of collegiate bodies disappearing? Why aren't decisions based on evidence, and why don't decision-makers take into account expert opinions and stakeholder positions? Drawing on empirical research - interviews with city-level decision-makers - the author considers whether and how deliberative innovation can support the renewal of decision-making in representative institutions. Deliberative Democracy, Public Policy, and Local Government will be of enormous interest to doctoral students and researchers as well as to practitioners of local government administration, civic leaders, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, and people interested in public affairs. It can also be used as an important supplement in courses on public administration, political science, international relations, law, economics, and related studies at both the undergraduate and the graduate level.