Why should we encourage public 
participation in planning, problem solving 
and policy making?

First of all, it's a good idea.

American democracy is rooted in the concept of representation. Actively encouraging citizens to participate in decision making assures their views will be heard. Thus participation is important for a healthy representative democracy.

Over the last several decades, however, public confidence in government and other institutions has waned, and voting in state and national elections is at an all-time low. Involving citizens in decisions that affect them locally is one way to renew public trust and return credibility and legitimacy to all levels of government.

While participation has long been part of the tradition of planning, we continuously need to find new ways to actively engage citizens in decision making, and part of this process is helping citizens understand the role they can play  in deciding their own futures. This requires a shift from what others have described as a "vending machine" to a "barn raising" concept of government. (See the article and related references by Frank Benest). In other words, citizens come to understand they have a contribution to make, and therefore become full participants in the process, rather than waiting to see what programs and services they will receive for their tax dollars.

Achieving this is no small task. The problems facing local communities and society as a whole are complex and without easy solutions. It may not be apparent how one individual can actually make a difference. At the same time, no agency should retain sole responsibility for dealing with most problems, no matter how complex. It is not likely that government will actually have enough resources available to tackle some problems without help from outside organizations and individuals. Collaboration, by relying on the expertise and contributions of a wide array of organizations, agencies and individuals, expands local know-how, makes more efficient and effective use of scarce resources, has a greater potential for success and change than individual action.

Second, collaborative decision making is an idea that works.

A carefully constructed participation program encourages an open exchange of information and ideas. This requires that planners consider an array of opinions, especially those of underserved or underrepresented minority, low income, elderly, and disabled populations. Together the participants establish a collective vision for the future, and share responsibility for problems as well as their solutions.