Public Participation

Participation can be seen as “the inclusion of a diverse range of stakeholder contributions in an on-going community development process, from identification of problem areas, to the development, implementation and management of strategic planning” (Schafft and Greenwood, 2003, p. 19).

In true democracy, there is no doubt that voices will rise against the ideas for public participation. Over the past years, certain visible feature relating to public participation and the increase and there had been a rise on the decision making process where citizens get involved. The public participation in the policy process, to truly implement the principles of democracy of the public process should aim to be rational and fair to achieve effectiveness.

Public participation relieve doubt that citizen's offerings will affect the policy process. It is of the assumption that a person who will be impinged by a decision, has the right to be associated in decision making.

“Wise democratic processes are those which utilize a community's or society's diversity to deepen shared understanding and produce outcomes of long-term benefit to the whole community or society. Not all public participation serves this purpose. Public participation can either enhance or degrade the collective intelligence and wisdom involved in democratic processes such as making collective decisions, solving social problems, and creating shared visions. The principles below offer some guidance for designing wise democratic processes”. Tom Atlee, Co-Intelligence Institute

This paper will begin by highlighting aspects of citizen participation showing the advantages and disadvantages it has on the policy process and discuss how citizen participation in the policy making pro...

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...ention on specific issues”.

Bowen (2004), in his article also mentioned, “public hearings” these are similar the is a real life forum at which the public “can make formal statements about the issue at hand”. Oral statements are often conducted by written, short arguments; “a panel representing the sponsoring agency may ask questions of the presenter. The panel generally submits a final report with findings and recommendations”

This paper, while defined and highlighted advantaged and disadvantages of public participation in the policy process, gave suitable ways in which citizen participation can be increased in Jamaica. Public participation in a democratic society is vital. The diversity of perspectives from individuals, will lead to an increase in public feedback for effective policies. It increases democracy, and aims to achieve and maintain good governance.