Defining the public interest: Citizen participation in metropolitan and state policy making

In: National civic review: promoting civic engagement and effective local governance for more than 100 years, Band 79, Heft 2, S. 118-131

Abstract

AbstractThe legitimacy of policy making at the regional level, as with policy making at more conventional levels of government, depends on the quality of representation. Citizen appointments and voluntary committees bypass the expense of the electoral process, but lack value when restricted to token advisory roles in potential conflict with other, "financially articulate" interests. Experience shows that lay citizen representatives can make sound decisions on the technical issues that typify regional problems, when information is properly shared. Regional entities must demonstrate the will to establish their legitimacy.