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The conclusions in this book challenge most traditional and conventional American political scientific thinking on the value and practicality of direct citizen participation in agenda setting, planning, and policy making. It does this not only by applying a new physically-based paradigm of political theory to the problem, but also by offering a wealth of original, empirical evidence to support its conclusion.
Basing her arguments on research in a new method of public-opinion/citizen-participation experiments, Slaton's book: (1) provides a new theoretical and practical response to those opposed to increasing direct democracy in the United States; (2) introduces a new method by which to promote and measure informed and deliberated public opinion; (3) proposes a new methodology that stimulates citizen participation toward and involvement in complex policy issues; and (4) applies analogies to the paradigms of quantum physics to new theories and techniques designed to promote citizen participation in a democracy.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction
Quantum Theory and Political Theory
Tracing the Paths of Expanding Citizen Participation in America
Toward the Representative Participatory State: A Quantum Step in Ideology and Theory
Toward the Representative Participatory State: Research and Action Projects
The Hawaii Televote Model: Applying Techniques, Learning Lessons, Realizing the Future
Evaluating Televote: Responding to Criticism and Setting Future Agendas
Bibliography
Index
About the author
CHRISTA DARYL SLATON is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Georgia Southern University. During her graduate school career, she co-designed, tested, and analyzed a new method of public-opinion polling/citizen participation that she and her coworkers call Televote. She has published articles in
Political Science and
Mediation Quarterly.
