In American public administration, there has been a longstanding debate about the role that citizens should play in administrative decision making. Some have argued that administrative decision making should be done by experts, and that ordinary citizens should not be involved in the process. Proponents of this position maintain that citizen participation is inefficient, unhelpful, counterproductive, and in some circumstances, possibly dangerous. In contrast, others have argued that citizens should be actively involved in administrative decision making. Proponents of this position maintain that such an approach helps to account for a wider range of values, provides administrators important information, and is more consistent with the core principles of a democratic republic.
Arguing from a public service perspective, assess the role that citizen participation should play in public administration. Should citizens take an active role in the formulation and implementation of public policy? Why?