Is citizen engagement necessary for democracy to function?

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Democracy is often described as "of the people, by the people, and for the people." But what happens when the people aren't at the table? 

Yes, we are referring to the lack of citizen engagement in a democracy.

The active participation of individuals in government decision-making is the backbone of a healthy democracy. When citizens are involved in the process, they're more likely to trust the outcome. In fact, an OECD study found that promoting public participation increases trust in government processes.

So, how crucial is citizen engagement for a democracy to function?

Let us explore why citizen engagement is necessary for a democracy to function.

Importance of citizen engagement in a democratic society

The following are the benefits of promoting citizen engagement in a democracy: 

1. Enhances transparency and accountability

Improved citizen engagement in government holds public servants and institutional officers accountable for their actions. When the people are closely involved in the process, they can monitor the activities, seek transparency, and demand explanations for the decisions made.  

A LSE study also found that nations with higher overall participation also have better-performing governments.

2. Promotes inclusivity and social justice

Enhancing civic participation offers marginalized communities, an opportunity to voice out their opinions. The citizen service platforms help the low-income categories and minorities overcome the traditional barriers to government access and address their needs. 

According to a report by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), communities with higher levels of civic engagement, particularly among marginalized groups, saw a 25% increase in local government responsiveness to citizen concerns.

3. Drives social cohesion

Citizen engagement fosters a sense of belonging to the community. As people feel more connected, it drives government collaboration and social cohesion among them. When they voice out their opinions, they feel heard and acknowledged. This minimizes alienation and fragmentation that remains the primary cause of social unrest. 

4. Representative decision making 

When public sector organizations consult with the public, they get access to diverse opinions, perspectives, and insights. This helps identify people’s expectations and incorporating them leads to informed policies and decisions. 

5. Prevents corruption

It also becomes easier to keep track of the key governmental activities. This reduces the chances of corruption and leads to better utilization of public resources.  

Research on the Citizen Oversight Monitors Program in Peru found that citizen oversight initiatives, particularly through digital platforms, significantly reduced cost overruns in public works.

6. Improves the quality of outcomes

Public consultation can identify potential challenges involved in the process and devise proactive strategies that enhance the outcome quality. Understanding their expectations helps government agencies better align their policies with citizen experiences.  

A 2022 study in the International Journal of Public Administration confirms that public consultation helps government officials identify common dilemmas and challenges in the policy process.

Different forms of citizen engagement 

The major forms of engagement include:

1.  Consultative engagement

Government agencies reach out to the public through a formal process and seek their input, opinions, and perspectives on a specific policy or decision. They are usually arranged by public sector bodies before making key decisions. 

2. Collaborative engagement 

In collaborative engagements, citizens work along with public servants to address a specific challenge. Doing so fosters a sense of purpose and accountability among the public.

For example, the Boston 311 initiative encourages citizens to collaborate with public servants by providing real-time feedback on city services, such as potholes, streetlights, and sanitation issues. 

3. Deliberative engagement 

In this scenario, governments involve the public in structured decisions through formal assemblies, juries, and panel discussions. The focused discussion helps public institutions make informed decisions on key policies.

4. Community engagement 

As noted above, the key elements of community engagement include inclusivity, communication, active participation, collaboration, empowerment, and feedback. To enable this, secure community engagement platforms provide virtual spaces where citizens and governments can collaborate and communicate at scale. These platforms enable secure public-private partnerships, promoting more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes. 

This way, governments can foster a sense of community ownership and shared responsibility for addressing local challenges.