Constructing Electronic Interaction to Maximize Decision Quality in Deliberations among Citizens, Issue Publics, and Elites

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

This grant will study the impact of structured on-line information and processes to increase the opportunity for citizens to participate in the development of government policies, as opposed to input from experts (elites). Under what conditions can non-experts be most effectively engaged? How can their engagement be sustained over time? How can they contribute most effectively to public decision-making? The domain of interest for this experiment will be health care policy. It is expected that the US Agency for Health Care Policy will be a partner in this work.