How Are We to Govern Ourselves?: The Engagement of Citizens in the Local Government Policy Process

Author

Ron Coristine, Western University

Date of Award

8-1-2003

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Sancton, Andrew

Geographical Areas

Kincardine

Abstract

This paper examines the effectiveness of citizen engagement as a complementary process to the representative nature of local democracy based on case studies of two policy issues that used different methods of citizen participation in Kincardine, Ontario. Interviews with the mayor and seven of eight councillors in the municipality were conducted. The findings reveal that the traditional method of top-down consultation processes is inferior to deliberative approaches and interactive forms of engagement can achieve more satisfactory outcomes.

Recommended Citation

Coristine, Ron, "How Are We to Govern Ourselves?: The Engagement of Citizens in the Local Government Policy Process" (2003). MPA Major Research Papers. 41.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/41