|
The Citizens League's study committee process is based on a few core beliefs:
- Regular citizens are capable of developing an in-depth understanding of sophisticated policy problems.
We believe that citizens commonly underestimate their ability to understand many public issues. There's a lot of jargon out there. Getting beyond the sound bites isn't easy, and it does take time. But our experience confirms the belief that "regular people" who invest the time and energy find they can understand even complicated-sounding policies.
- Information and reasoned analysis should be brought to bear on public problems.
The debate on the tough questions of public life is always shaped by people's emotions, personal self-interests, power relationships, and the compromise and give-and-take of the democratic process. None of this messiness of democratic life can be wished away, nor should it be. We believe, however, that citizens are empowered by applying that uniquely human capacity-reason-to the challenges we face in our common life.
- Ideas matter.
Because ideas are powerful, the quality of ideas matters. The Citizens League doesn't believe in engaging in citizen participation just for its own sake. When a Citizens League committee succeeds, the result is a "good idea" that can make a positive difference.
- Democracy depends on "free spaces"
"Free spaces" are places where citizens from all walks of life can come together for uninhibited discussion about public concerns. The Citizens League believes the best problem-solving occurs when people are free to be candid and to disagree with one another, even vehemently, while preserving their bonds of respect and mutual obligation.
The study committee process
Study committees are the League's core activity. Topics for League studies are selected by the League's board of directors. To identify potential topics, League volunteers and staff conduct interviews and discussions with a wide variety of individuals and communities, and scan other media to identify problems and trends.
The study process has three phases. In the first, committee members learn about their topic with help from community experts and staff researchers. Next, the committee develops consensus about the facts of the issue, and uses the facts to frame the issues. The committee will then complete its charge which may include developing a set of specific recommendations or using the framework to spur others to action.
|
