Introduction
Many local officials rely on the citizen’s input and this makes it easy for the local governments to stay informed about the public concerns as well as to gain insights into citizen preferences. During the 70s, many federal governments mandated public participation in most of the government activities like planning for government activities and community redevelopment programs. The public can be seen as a good source of information since it’s the members of the public who normally stay in these communities and know what the community lacks but not the leaders. The demand for citizen participation has increased recently as a strong force in local policymaking. Different kinds of interest groups are usually involved when making these policies some of which include, professionals, economists, local agencies, and ideologists.
This publication involves the flow of information from public officials and the members of the public. Public participation may involve making various decisions about government activities. You find that the citizens and the various interest groups may have important decisions hence need to be used as channels for policymaking. (Abelson, Forest, Eyles, Smith, Martin, and Gauvin, 2003).
Channels of influence on policy
Some of the professionals are key players in determining certain policies. For instance, ambassadors help in determining tough trade-offs between long-term and short-term objectives. As a result, you find that these professionals can be a good source of information to the government and hence need to be used. These professionals also act as integrators among various interest groups. With this role, the professional can help the interest groups promote human rights policy objectives in that country. As a result, these interest groups who include the media, local and international NGOs, and businessmen in the communities can in return give this information to the government.
Economists are also other channels of policymaking to the government. Most economists channels that, monetary policies will affect output. These economists can be relied on to give information concerning the best monetary policies which a government needs to put in place to maintain economic growth. Most of the policy implementers are economists since they have good information about output and hence can be relied on.
Economists can also rely on wealth effects that arise from the monetary policy affecting the valuation of the components of wealth. They also act as government advisors on various activities of the government as far as the economy’s growth is concerned. These people are essential since it’s through their advice that the government can keep the economy growing. (Abelson, Forest, Eyles, Smith, Martin, and Gauvin, 2003).
The public agency is another channel whereby in the communities, certain individuals are appointed as agents to the various communities. They usually hold meetings with the members of that community and discuss the matters arising. The public hearing is often formal, with statements going to an official record of the meeting. In these communities, the members of that community usually meet with the local officials and share ideas about that community.
In return, these public agencies can be used by the government to give information on that community so that the community can be included in the government plans. Ideologies are the last channel of citizen participation. These can include members of the clergy, sociologists, psychologists, philosophies among other groups. These people like the members of the clergy can be used by the government to give information about the communities in which they come from. These interest groups are good channels of citizen participation in government activities and should be encouraged. (Abelson, Forest, Eyles, Smith, Martin, and Gauvin, 2003).
Conclusion
Citizens and interest groups are key elements needed for the resolution of any public issue. From the essay, several issues on how to gather information from the communities have been represented. For these groups to be effective when giving this information, they should have leadership capabilities coupled with the ability to resolve conflicts and disputes.
Reference
Abelson, J., Forest, P., Eyles, J., Smith, P., Martin, E., and Gauvin, F. (2003). Deliberations about deliberative methods. Issues in the design and evaluation of public participation process. Social Science and Medicine.