Essay Sample on Citizen Involvement in the Process of Policymaking

Introduction

According to Popkin, the fundamental to any recognition of citizen involvement in the process of policymaking as well as the design of the public services is the appreciation that citizens in any given democratic space have both duties and rights. The democratic governance should, therefore, provide opportunities for citizens to take part actively in the process of reshaping the laws and policies that can improve service to humanity. Berelson, however, expresses that the citizen's participation in the policymaking processes can be effected in different ways and at different levels. The implementation can take place from a community setting and the informal local environment. Additionally, the process of implementation can take place through incorporated entities, peak bodies, non-governmental organizations, public services, and courts as well as other institutions of legislatures. Democracies are culturally and socially distinctive. Therefore, according to Bartels, developing traditions, structures, and conventions that reflect the values and habits of the citizens can encourage participation of the ordinary citizens who are not knowledgeable and interested in participating in the policymaking processes.

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According to Berelson, the supposition underlying the idea of democracy is that citizens have an interest or a strong motivation to participate in the political and decision-making processes. However, in most cases, their chances are limited only at the voting process. Nonetheless, it is the quality of voting patterns that make people lose their morale. Therefore, the average citizen is sufficiently interested in participating in the policymaking processes although they do not have the support and motivation. In the United States, the majority of citizens voting decisions are not often followed by an immediate, direct and visible personal consequences. Most citizens, both unorganized and organized, are not in a position to foresee the consequences of their actions when it comes to the voting processes. In many occasions, after the ballot has been cast, citizens no longer become interested in any democratic or policymaking process. The interest of the citizen to participate in the government is usually facilitated by the political leaders who formulate the policies and convince the voters to take part in the electoral process which is part of electing an individual with better strategies in governance.

Although citizens have the motivation and interest to take part in the policymaking processes, they are not knowledgeable enough. According To Berelson, a democratic citizen needs to be well informed on the ongoing political affairs. They are supposed to understand what the issues are as well as their historical origin. Besides, they are supposed to know relevant facts, the alternative ideas to what is being expressed or stated in the decision-making process. Moreover, there is a need for motivated or interested citizens to understand the views of the party that they stand for. With the above standards, citizens often fall short of taking part in the decision making processes. Even though the voters or the citizens may be interested or become motivated to, they find it relatively difficult to make decisions based on the information provided especially when the subject is proximate or straightforward. In many cases, citizens are not highly informed on political situations as well as the policy-making processes. In many cases, the electorate's perception of the policies given during campaigns is fuelled by the emotional feelings towards different issues that impact common citizens. The policies formulated by politicians, candidates, social groups and parties make people develop some interest in the governance, however, in the long run, they are incapable to showcase their interest due to lack of appropriate understanding on the governance issues.

Depending on the policies introduced during campaigns, citizens can make an informed decision by voting the right individuals in the office. Political leaders are the representatives of people in the leadership platforms. Therefore, by electing them, citizens are assured that their interest will be considered. Among the citizens, some democratic optimists understand that elections are by no means the only possible platform where the will of the people can shape the public policy. Public opinion has a significant influence on the formulation of public policy; however, the views can only be presented by the representatives of the people because they have knowledge and understanding of the governance system as well as technical know-how on how to present the policies. Interpreting and assessing the role of public opinion when it comes to the policy-making process needs some understanding of public opinion.

In some cases, citizens may have different views concerning certain matters on public policy. Since citizens may have meaningful policy preferences, such preferences thus may be internally consistent and related to the political beliefs and values. Public opinions regarding issues about inequality may be complex due to the multifaceted and deep resonance of value of the quality in the United States' political culture.

Given the description of the capacities of the citizens in the policy-making process, the level of responsiveness provided by the Bartels is appropriate. Due to the lack of knowledge on governance, Bartels believes that assessing and interpreting the role of public opinion is necessary for the decision making processes. The policymakers should, therefore, consider public opinions. In some cases, citizens may have valid views on specific matters regarding public policies. According to Bartels, the practice and theory of public administration are more concerned with putting citizens at the center of policy-making processes; however, this is only possible if they are given exposure or knowledge on the political governance. The good thing is that already, individuals have interest and motivation to take part in the policy-making processes. The politicians and governmental organizations aim to develop policies and services that are in line and relevant to the needs of the people. Members of Congress should adopt representation by encouraging public participation. Through education the public or the citizens on the governance issues, they may facilitate the decision-making processes. Congress plays a compassionate role in the dissemination of information and particularly in politics and public policies.

Regarding the public policies, members of Congress have a significant function which is to communicate the pol...