Citizen Engagement & Policy Learning Forming, storming, norming and performing Public Sphere #2: Government 2.0

Citizen Engagement & Policy Learning

Forming, storming, norming and performing

Is there an Australian political culture? In the Dixonian tradition, political stability is achieved by ‘self-restraint in the interests of constitutionalism… when “reinforced by an informed and vigilant citizenry”’ (Saunders & Le Roy 2003: 9; De Percy 2004: 9)

In the Dixonian tradition, political stability is achieved by ‘self-restraint in the interests of constitutionalism… when “reinforced by an informed and vigilant citizenry”’ (Saunders & Le Roy 2003: 9; De Percy 2004: 9)

Is there an Australian political culture? In the 1970s, Australians were viewed as ‘not much interested in politics and displayed low rates of political participation’. However: ‘One cannot be sure if that Australia has yet acquired a demonstrably civic culture’ (Emy & Hughes 1993: 122)

In the 1970s, Australians were viewed as ‘not much interested in politics and displayed low rates of political participation’.

However: ‘One cannot be sure if that Australia has yet acquired a demonstrably civic culture’

(Emy & Hughes 1993: 122)

Is there an Australian political culture? ‘ National opinion polls tell us that public trust in Australia’s governments and our political leadership is now at an all-time low’. (Uhr 2005)

‘ National opinion polls tell us that public trust in Australia’s governments and our political leadership is now at an all-time low’.

(Uhr 2005)

Why is the political culture important? As we move to a technology-driven, more open society: ‘ [T]he operation and viability of any given political system depends also on the political culture which underlies it’ (Emy & Hughes 1993: 113) Which leads me to some observations about an emerging online Australian ‘civic culture’

As we move to a technology-driven, more open society:

‘ [T]he operation and viability of any given political system depends also on the political culture which underlies it’ (Emy & Hughes 1993: 113)

Which leads me to some observations about an emerging online Australian ‘civic culture’

Some Observations An underlying Australian civic culture which raises some important questions: Are Australians averse to conflict, generally? Does Australia really have a democratic political culture? Explosion of conflict on educational, community and media participatory forums Tendency for ‘knee-jerk’ reactions from authorities

An underlying Australian civic culture which raises some important questions:

Are Australians averse to conflict, generally?

Does Australia really have a democratic political culture?

Explosion of conflict on educational, community and media participatory forums

Tendency for ‘knee-jerk’ reactions from authorities

Policy Learning In its broadest meaning, to borrow from Howlett & Ramesh (2003: 220): Policy learning ‘includes both the intended and unintended… consequences of policy-making activities’ and is ‘an iterative process of active learning on the part of policy actors’ Learning (and conflict) will become more intense as the number of actors increases

In its broadest meaning, to borrow from Howlett & Ramesh (2003: 220):

Policy learning ‘includes both the intended and unintended… consequences of policy-making activities’ and is ‘an iterative process of active learning on the part of policy actors’

Learning (and conflict) will become more intense as the number of actors increases

What will be our approach to ‘Netiquette’? In light of our ‘civic culture’, what is our capacity to ‘learn’ through a process which essentially involves ‘conflict’?

In light of our ‘civic culture’, what is our capacity to ‘learn’ through a process which essentially involves ‘conflict’?

Understanding new media ‘policy learning’ Forming: ‘Public Sphere’, Open Forum, ABC Storming: Follow up debates, research, reactions Norming: Establishing the ‘rules of the game’ Performing: Obtaining the benefits

Forming: ‘Public Sphere’, Open Forum, ABC

Storming: Follow up debates, research, reactions

Norming: Establishing the ‘rules of the game’

Performing: Obtaining the benefits

One step away from politics? Specialist online policy research centres We need decentralised spaces to experiment Emerging models: Outsourcing citizen engagement Education will play a primary role Many barriers to the legitimacy of social media

Specialist online policy research centres

We need decentralised spaces to experiment

Emerging models:

Outsourcing citizen engagement

Education will play a primary role

Many barriers to the legitimacy of social media