Citizen Engagement Vocabulary Flashcards – Essentials of Public Service (Chapter 2)

Vocabulary flashcards drawn from the chapter on citizen engagement, covering key terms and definitions.

Citizen engagement

The active engagement of citizens in the pursuit of public purposes.

Coproduction

Citizen participation and compliance in the execution of government action.

Open Government Initiative

A 2009 initiative launched to increase transparency, collaboration, and participation using information technology.

Democracy

Requires equality.

Bureaucracy

Requires deference to authority, lack of autonomy, and formalized rules and processes.

Representative democracy

Citizens participate in governance through elected and appointed representatives.

Cynicism

A attitude where distrust undermines collaboration, often arising when the public feels powerless.

Resilience

The capacity of a community to absorb disturbance and rebuild during change.

Sustainable collective action

Ongoing, coordinated efforts by citizens and government supported by robust administrative infrastructure.

Public information officers

Officials responsible for communicating information from government to the public.

Strategic planning

A process for defining an organization’s direction and long-term goals.

Council meetings

Public meetings where elected officials discuss and decide on policy.

Citizen advisory boards

Boards appointed by government to gather citizen input; may be advisory or have administrative powers.

Task forces / citizen review boards / commissions

Special groups formed to address issues and provide oversight or guidance.

Neighborhood/town hall/public meetings

Public forums held in local areas to discuss community issues.

Coffee-with-the-mayor type meetings

Informal sessions where residents meet with the mayor to discuss concerns.

Information and communications technology

Tools and platforms used to share information and enable public participation.

Citizen academies

Programs that educate citizens about government operations to boost engagement.

Real-time performance data

Data that show government performance as it happens to inform the public.

Focus groups

Small group discussions used to gather in-depth public input.

Citizen surveys

Structured questionnaires used to collect public opinions.

Nonprofit organizations as vehicles for participation

Using nonprofits as channels for citizens to participate in governance.

Highline Park (as a product of citizen engagement)

An example cited of a project resulting from citizen engagement.

Social capital

Networks and norms of reciprocity that enable coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.

Linkage between government and people

A strong connection ensuring government actions align with those served to prevent cynicism.