Various arguments in support of community problem solving are addressed in most of the readings assigned this semester as well as in courses throughout the program. One idea is that coproduction engages community members in shared governance for deliberative democratic problem solving and participative policy making. Drawing on the work of Denhardt and Denhardt, Jun, Stivers, or other authors, write an essay that addresses the following questions.
You may apply your arguments to the practice of public administration by drawing on your professional experiences and utilizing related examples and illustrations (including from health care, if that is your concentration) to support your response.
Part One: What are two (2) examples of obstacles to implementing participatory governance approaches such as social design? How do these obstacles affect the interactions between the participant volunteers and public agencies sponsoring these co production efforts? How might the community members they serve be impacted?
Part Two: What two (2) considerations for adopting participatory governance should an interested administrator take into account when planning to recruit community volunteers for a co-produced program? How might planning with regard to these two considerations reduce the likelihood of a failed participatory process?
Resources:
1. Denhardt, J. V., & Denhardt, R. B. (2015). The New Public Service: Serving, not steering (4th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. [ISBN: 9781138891258] https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csueastbay/detail.action?docID=1987301
2. Jun, J. S. (2006). The social construction of public administration: Interpretive and critical perspectives. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. [ISBN: 978- 0791467268] https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csueastbay/detail.action?docID=3407710
3. Stivers, C. (2008). Governance in dark times: Practical philosophy for public service. Georgetown University Press. [ISBN: 9781589011977] [Permalink for access via CSUEB
