Facilitating Public Participation In Local Governments In Hard Times

Keywords

complexity; fiscal capacity; Great Recession; public participation

Abstract

In the wake of the economic crisis in 2007, many municipal governments faced a variety of financial challenges. Scholars and practitioners call for citizen participation in various parts of government; however, it is unclear how efforts to engage the public can be sustained when municipalities undergo tough financial times. This research explores the impact of internal and external factors—(a) impact of financial crisis, (b) environmental and organizational complexity, and (c) administrative decentralization—on whether citizens are given the opportunity and resources to be involved in decision-making. Findings suggest that, despite their concerns for the diminishing fiscal capacity, local governments provide supportive institutional arrangements that may encourage public participation. Organizational complexity in local government also has a positive impact on facilitating public involvement and providing resource. Finally, the analyses indicate mixed findings for environmental complexity faced by local jurisdictions.

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Publication Title

American Review of Public Administration

Volume

47

Issue

7

Number of Pages

840-856

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1177/0275074016643587

Socpus ID

85029726571 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85029726571

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