Nancy C. Roberts - Böcker

Dialogue has a long lineage but a relatively recent research tradition. The goal of this volume is to elevate dialogue onto the research agenda by addressing such questions as: how can we make dialogue actionable and effective in organizational practice? How can dialogue inform decision making in a particular problem domain or community of interest when multiple people, groups, and organizations are involved? How can dialogue be utilized to build more vibrant, democratic communities? To what extent can the Internet and new information technology support the dialogical process? How can we describe the relational field that dialogue creates and build a theory of social communication and information processing that explains the organization and dynamics of dialogue, and its implications for psychosocial function? The volume addresses these questions in four sections: the foundations, perspectives, practice and theory of dialogue. By design, the contributors draw from wide-ranging philosophical and disciplinary traditions: anthropology, communication, information, management, neuro-psychology, organization theory, philosophy, psychology, political science, public policy, quantum physics, and sociology. As dialogue attempts to break down the barriers among people, the authors defend a more robust understanding of dialogue that requires scholars and practitioners to move beyond the confines of one academic tradition and to study it in a more comprehensive and integrated way. The disciplinary reach of this title should attract scholars and practitioners interested in the general area of dialogue and communication, as well as related topics such as collaboration, public engagement, citizen participation, deliberative democracy, stakeholder relations, networks, interorganizational relationships, and community building.

Citizen involvement is considered the cornerstone of democratic theory and practice. Citizens today have the knowledge and ability to participate more fully in the political, technical, and administrative decisions that affect them. On the other hand, direct citizen participation is often viewed with skepticism, even wariness. Many argue that citizens do not have the time, preparation, or interest to be directly involved in public affairs, and suggest instead that representative democracy, or indirect citizen participation, is the most effective form of government. Some of the very best writings on this key topic - which is at the root of the entire "reinventing government" movement - can be found in the journals that ASPA publishes or sponsors. In this collection Nancy Roberts has brought together the emerging classics on the ongoing debate over citizen involvement. Her detailed introductory essay and section openers frame the key issues, provide historical context, and fill in any gaps not directly covered by the articles. More than just an anthology, "The Age of Direct Citizen Participation" provides a unique and useful framework for understanding this important subject. It is an ideal resource for any Public Administration course involving citizen engagement and performance management.