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Redefining the Role of Citizen in a Gov 2.0 World
Friday, February 5th, 2010 - 0:15
What does it mean to be a citizen in a Gov 2.0 world? President Obama’s FY 2011 budget is being dissected for its shift in the size and scope of government. But several initiatives in the budget, and things happening at the state and local levels, point to subtle -- but significant --shifts in the role of citizens in their government.
1229 recommendations
Right On!
From here in Cottonwood, AZ I see and hear about getting information from the Feds in various ways. The Forest Service is running articles in local papers about planning meetings -- the VA has an outpatient clinic. I see reinventing labs from the Gore days thriving and morphing to fit various changes. As a former member of The National Performance Review and an old Washington working hand I'd say the time is right for Citizen 2.0.
Hi Norm! I think the role of citizens is going to be a lot more than attending planning meetings! Voting, participating in political campaigns, and attending public hearings in hopes of influencing policy decisions will continue, but the newer roles will be far more engaging. Most of these changes will probably begin at the local, rather than the federal, levels -- which is closer to where citizens interact with government
This will include reporting on problems they see (like potholes), allowing citizens access to data so it can be "mashed up" to provide new insight or services (like personalized iPhone maps), providing ideas and innovations (via contests), and helping deliver public services, possibly through non-profits (in person or on-line).
The question is, will citizens participate? Do they really want a new role, or do they want to continue in the role of "customer" where they put a nickel (taxes) into the "vending machine" and out pops a service?
Why not just call the whole effort Citizen 2.0.
Well, the term "Citizen 2.0" has already been coined, and it is being used largely to describe engaging people in the political process more actively.
See, for example:
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/ayc/pdf/aa_insights_cit2.pdf
I'm hoping to expand the notion that citizens do more than vote, attend public hearings, and pay taxes. They can be far more engaged, especially electronically. The challenge is getting people to see that they have expanded opportunities to engage, and for busy people to see benefit in their contributing their time and effort.
It could be called "The Last Line " after the last line of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
"government,of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth"
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