Full Description
An invaluable resource for shaping policies that resonate with the public and benefit democratic practices
Democracy may be widespread, but its vitality is under siege. Public trust in governments and institutions has eroded to critical levels, with many democracies failing to include citizens in meaningful consultation, engagement, and participation.
Public Communication and Public Policy: Reviving Democracy by Recalibrating Public Communication addresses this urgent need, exposing how one-way communication practices perpetuate disengagement and hinder policy effectiveness. Drawing on research across three continents, author Jim Macnamara dissects policy frameworks and government communication guidelines to uncover systemic shortcomings and offer actionable solutions.
Combining critical literature reviews, practitioner interviews, and real-world case studies, Public Communication and Public Policy delivers detailed recommendations to reform public communication—challenging conventional approaches and advocating for recalibrated consultation and citizen participation to rebuild trust and reinvigorate democratic processes.
A timely, solutions-focused analysis of democratic challenges, Public Communication and Public Policy
Analyzes 16 widely used policy models to reveal critical gaps in consultation and engagement practices
Provides detailed strategies to enhance public communication, consultation, and stakeholder participation
Introduces groundbreaking frameworks such as the IP-IT model of communication
Examines key policy failures such as Robodebt (Australia) and Post Office Horizon (UK)
Bridges communication theory, public policy studies, and political science
Public Communication and Public Policy: Reviving Democracy by Recalibrating Public Communication is a must-read for academics, students, and professionals in public communication, strategic communication, and public policy. It is particularly relevant for policymakers, advisers, and government communication practitioners aiming to create inclusive, effective, and trust-building policies.
Contents
List of Figures ix
List of Tables x
List of Boxes xi
Acknowledgements xii
Abbreviations xiv
Key Definitions xvii
Chapter 1 The 'Democratic Deficit' 1
Loss of Trust 4
The Lost Public 8
Public Affairs and Lobbying 12
Types of Democracy: The Sociopolitical Context 14
References 17
Chapter 2 The Public Sphere - And Its Problems 25
The Public 26
Public Opinion 27
The Public Sphere 28
The State 32
References 44
Chapter 3 Public Policy 53
Types and Levels of Public Policy 55
Policy Sciences 56
Policy Studies 60
References 62
Chapter 4 The Public Policy Development Process 67
The Policy Environment 67
Policy Inputs 69
Policy Outputs 71
Policy Frameworks 71
The Policy Process 73
Policy Cycles 74
Policy Analysis 86
Policy Platforms 87
Finding the Policy 'Sweet Spot': The Overton Window 87
Public Communication and Public Policy 88
References 90
Chapter 5 Public Communication 94
Fundamentals of Communication 94
Public Communication 103
Government Communication 105
Public Sector Communication 109
Public Sphere Communication vs Public Sector Communication 110
The Public Sector Communication Ecosystem 111
European Union Initiatives 115
UK Government Communication Service (GCS) 121
French Government Information Service (GIS) 130
Open Government Partnership (OGP) 131
OECD Open Government, Civic Space, and Public Communication Unit 133
Ireland's Open Government, Citizens' Assemblies, and Referenda 135
Australian Public Service Approach to Engagement and Participation 137
A Home State "State of the Nation" - The NSW Department of Customer Service 140
References 144
Chapter 6 Consultation, Engagement, and Participation: Theory and Practical Insights 161
Public Consultation 163
Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement 165
Participation in Public Policy and Decision-Making 173
What Senior Public Policy and Public Communication Leaders Say 176
Findings from Senior Practitioner Interviews 197
Acknowledging Challenges 201
References 203
Chapter 7 Behavioural Insights: Is This the Answer? Or Part of the Problem? 214
How to Get People to Do Things: Biases and Heuristics 215
Who Do You Trust? 216
Behavioural Public Policy 217
Lack of Insight: The Antithetical Problem 220
References 222
Chapter 8 Recalibrating Public Communication for Public Policy 225
Applying the IP-IT
Model 225
Organizational Listening 229
CEL vs. SELL 236
Integrated Models of Public Communication and Public Policy Development 237
The Time for Government Public Communication is Now 241
References 242
Chapter 9 Why Governments Don't Listen: Challenges to Address 247
Fear 247
Bias, Heuristics, and System 1 Thinking 249
Lack of Processes, Systems, and Tools 250
Cultural Factors: The "Talkative Species" 253
References 255
Chapter 10 Enablers of Meaningful Inclusive Engagement and Participation 258
Ten Steps for Planning and Implementing Citizen Participation 259
Data Integration and Analysis 261
Deliberation 263
Mini-Publics 264
Outreach 265
Metamodernism 271
Public Communication Knowledge and Skills 273
Watchdogs to Listening Dogs: The Role of Media 279
Citizen, Heal Thyself 280
Final Words: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations 283
References 287
Appendix A: Research Methodology 298
Bibliography 303
Index 306
