Recent developments in public policy have emphasised the need for greater public participation in decision making and for new forms of democratic practice. More and better public participation is viewed as capable of improving the quality and legitimacy of decisions in government, health services, local government and other public bodies, as well as having the potential to address the ‘democratic deficit’ (Stewart, 1999) and to build community capacity and social capital. The aspirations are high:

Consequently, there has been an explosion of participative forums, including citizens’ juries, area committees, neighbourhood forums, tenant groups, user groups and groups reflecting what are viewed as communities of interest or identity. Some have been established by public bodies in order to facilitate dialogue with the public, while others have independent origins, often based on voluntary, charitable or political activity.

The result of this explosion is that channels of access to the political system are widening, new opportunity structures being opened up, and more active forms of dialogue being fostered. In the process not only are some ‘lay’ publics becoming more expert in how to navigate the public policy system, but public service workers are being exposed to new experiences and encounters that have the capacity to change their orientations to what they do. How can we understand the significance of all this? How far does it represent a fundamental change in governance? And what is the potential of any such change to address inequalities of power, overcome social exclusion or to foster political renewal?

This book addresses such questions through an empirical and theoretical analysis of public participation, offering a critical perspective on its capacity to empower citizens, lead to public service change and enhance democracy.