Of the People, by the People, for the People: The Mutual Benefits of Civic Engagement, Part 1
This is part 1 of a 2-part blog post that explores how constituents and government alike benefit from an administration’s dedicated, multi-platform approach to civic engagement. This installment discusses how it positively impacts citizens.
Thomas Jefferson helped create a democratic United States because he believed that, “Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.” If longevity is any indication, the American people agree. Hundreds of years later, the nation still operates according to its founding father’s philosophy.
Indeed, in a democratic state, the public’s hopes, fears, wants and needs are of paramount importance. Today’s e-government tools grant citizens the power to voice them all with unparalleled immediacy and frequency.“Of the People, by the People, for the People: The Mutual Benefits of Civic Engagement, Part 1” explores the positive psychological and societal impact this power has on citizens.
The Prevalence of Division
There is overwhelming evidence that people with strong social support networks lead happier and healthier lives, but strong social support is hard to come by. Indeed, several factors have made it more difficult than ever to form and maintain interpersonal relationships.
For starters, neighborhoods have become less neighborly. Four decades ago, a third of Americans spent time with their neighbors at least twice a week. Today, nearly one-third of Americans do not know the name of the person living next door. This could be because it changes more frequently. As covered in a previous blog post,home ownership in the US is at a 48 year low and rentals account for all 8 million-plus net US households that have come onto the scene since 2006. This is not to say that homeowners never sell, but neighbors are more likely to move on once a lease is up.
Even if neighbors do stick around, chances are good that they go unnoticed. The average person spends 90 minutes a day on their cell phone and the ubiquity and popularity of streaming services, like Netflix, contribute to a society in which watching an entire season of a television show in one week is considered a semi-accomplishment rather than a cry for help.
In the past, those without close family or friends might find camaraderie in the workplace, but today’s professionals may find work life lacking as well. In many industries, employers are opting to hire temporary and/or remote workers. Though more cost-effective, this practice has placed water cooler conversation on the endangered list.
This culture of impermanence and isolation has left socially-wired humans hungry for a sense of community. In fact, more than half of people report dissatisfaction with their relationships.
The Power of Connection
While technology has been blamed for fostering a culture of detachment, it can be a powerful means of connection if leveraged correctly. A prime example is the way that e-government tools enable people to channel their innate need for inclusion into civic participation.
Civic engagement goes hand in hand with community building. Nowhere is this more apparent than on social media, which is quickly becoming a leading e-government tool. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly common for local government leaders to interact with constituents via Facebook and Twitter. For constituents without the time or resources to attend a traditional town-wide meeting, such pages confirm that their beliefs, concerns and ideas are shared.
Civic engagement also provides people with the security that comes with knowing that they are in control.Take the Zika virus pandemic, for example. The public has many valid concerns about the spread of mosquito-borne Zika. E-government tools ensure that they are heard and addressed. As Freeholder, Carmen Rodriguez, announced during a recent press conference, Camden County, New Jersey used GovPilot software to develop a “Report a Mosquito Issue in Your Town” form. Published on Camden County’s website, the form prompts residents to disclose details of local mosquito infestation.The county’s health officials plan their larvicide spray schedule around the crowdsourced information. In this way, e-government powered civic engagement has not only prevented the spread of the Zika pandemic, it has quelled the panic surrounding it.
America’s founders built the nation around the concept of civic engagement. Viewed through the lens of time, this was a wise decision. Engaged citizens feel connected,heard, understood and secure. E-government has emerged to support civic engagement at a time when it is needed most.
Expect “Of the People, by the People, for the People: The Mutual Benefits of Civic Engagement, Part 2” within the next few weeks. It discusses all of the ways that government benefits from civic engagement.
