Practicing Democracy as if the Public Matters Will Friedman, Ph.D. President, Public Agenda June, 2015 Adelaide, South Australia
Section I STATUS-QUO DEMOCRACY FALLI NG SHORT
What ails democracy today ● Leaders out of touch with public ● Powerful interests w/too much influence ● Partisan bickering defeats common ground ● Gridlock defeats problem solving
A limited tool box for democratic problem solving Advocacy groups and experts not enough
The nature of “wicked problems” Technical Problems Wicked Problems
The nature of “wicked problems” Technical Problems Wicked Problems Easy to identify Hard to identify, easy to deny
The nature of “wicked problems” Technical Problems Wicked Problems Easy to identify Hard to identify, easy to deny Amenable to a technical fix There is no technical fix
The nature of “wicked problems” Technical Problems Wicked Problems Easy to identify Hard to identify, easy to deny Amenable to a technical fix There is no technical fix Amenable to top-down solutions Requires many parties to learn and negotiate, make provisional decisions and adapt
Managing wicked problems requires an engaged public
Section II I S A MORE CI TI ZEN-CENTERED DEMOCRACY POSSI BLE?
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists “The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right.” (Hamilton)
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists “The people are turbulent and changing; “I am not among those who fear the they seldom judge or determine right.” people.” (Jefferson) (Hamilton)
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists “The people are turbulent and changing; “I am not among those who fear the they seldom judge or determine right.” people.” (Jefferson) (Hamilton) The public is often “destructively wrong at…critical junctures.” (Walter Lippmann)
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists “The people are turbulent and changing; “I am not among those who fear the they seldom judge or determine right.” people.” (Jefferson) (Hamilton) The public is often “destructively wrong “The cure for the ills of democracy is at…critical junctures.” (Walter Lippmann) more democracy.” (Jane Addams)
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists “The people are turbulent and changing; “I am not among those who fear the they seldom judge or determine right.” people.” (Jefferson) (Hamilton) The public is often “destructively wrong “The cure for the ills of democracy is at…critical junctures.” (Walter Lippmann) more democracy.” (Jane Addams) “No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence…of the American people.” (H.L. Mencken)
Are the people up to the task? Civic Pessimists Civic Optimists “The people are turbulent and changing; “I am not among those who fear the they seldom judge or determine right.” people.” (Jefferson) (Hamilton) The public is often “destructively wrong “The cure for the ills of democracy is at…critical junctures.” (Walter Lippmann) more democracy.” (Jane Addams) “No one ever went broke “…democracies decay not because of underestimating the intelligence…of the the stupidity of the masses, but because American people.” (H.L. Mencken) of the cupidity and self-seeking of leadership.” (V .O. Key)
A different, more pragmatic, view Optimist? Pessimist? It depends! “ Pot ent ially , the public can contribute in ways that elude expert elites and leaders.” Dan Yankelovich
What is public judgment? Not top-of-the head reactions
What is public judgment? Not necessarily deeply felt reactions
What is public judgment? A considered, responsible perspective, achieved through a kind of public work, that unfolds in stages.
Section III THE EMERGI NG ART AND SCI ENCE OF PUBLI C ENGAGEMENT
Public engagement: Practices that involve the community in meaningful public problem solving
Authentic engagement takes citizens seriously “We want to nt to in include y you in in th this is decis isio ion w n with ithout l t letting tting y you a affe ffect it. t it.”
Practices that go beyond business as usual Business as usual Authentic engagement
Practices that go beyond business as usual Business as usual Authentic engagement Interest group or expert driven by Inclusive decision making, with small group of decision makers public & stakeholders involved
Practices that go beyond business as usual Business as usual Authentic engagement Interest group or expert driven by Inclusive decision making, with small group of decision makers public & stakeholders involved Decide first, then sell Decide with stakeholders
Practices that go beyond business as usual Business as usual Authentic engagement Interest group or expert driven by Inclusive decision making, with small group of decision makers public & stakeholders involved Decide first, then sell Decide with stakeholders Top-down, one-way Two-way communications based on communications based on informing dialogue and learning and persuading
Resolves democratic ambivalence toward public By providing the means for citizens to effectively do their work
A key to effective engagement Promote dialogue and deliberation among diverse stakeholders about real choices
What kind of after-school program do we need? Option 1: Emphasize academic excellence Help kids catch up or stay ahead in school
What kind of after-school program do we need? Option 2: Emphasize values and life skills Teach leadership, teamwork, strong values
What kind of after-school program do we need? Option 3: Emphasize a safe place to unwind Allow kids to exercise, play, explore
What kind of after-school program do we need? Option 1: Emphasize academic excellence Help kids catch up or stay ahead in school Option 2: Emphasize values and life skills Teach leadership, teamwork, strong values Option 3: Emphasize a safe place to unwind Allow kids to exercise, play, explore
Section IV SOUTH AUSTRALI A HAS A CHANCE TO LEAD
South Australia has been a democratic pioneer
South Australia again leads civic innovation Potentially, among the world’s most ambitious experiment in deliberative democracy “One of the greatest resources we have is the common-sense judgments of everyday people.” Jay Weatherill
South Australia again leads civic innovation Success depends on you , not just the government
What citizens can do ● Participate!
What citizens can do ● Participate! ● Bring others to the table
What citizens can do ● Participate! ● Bring others to the table ● Hold public officials accountable for taking public participation seriously
What citizens can do ● Participate! ● Bring others to the table ● Hold public officials accountable for taking public participation seriously ● Hold yourself and your fellow citizens accountable for doing your part
What citizens can do ● Participate! ● Bring others to the table ● Hold public officials accountable for taking public participation seriously ● Hold yourself and your fellow citizens accountable for doing your part
What’s at stake? ● Public policy that responds to people’s needs
What’s at stake? ● Public policy that responds to people’s needs ● Government-community-citizen-business partnerships that drive progress on “wicked problems”
What’s at stake? ● Public policy that responds to people’s needs ● Government-community-citizen-business partnerships that drive progress on “wicked problems” ● Stronger economic growth
What’s at stake? ● Public policy that responds to people’s needs ● Government-community-citizen-business partnerships that drive progress on “wicked problems” ● Stronger economic growth ● Showing the world how to revitalize democracy
What’s at stake? ● Public policy that responds to people’s needs ● Government-community-citizen-business partnerships that drive progress on “wicked problems” ● Stronger economic growth ● Showing the world how to revitalize democracy
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