Public Communication and Public Policy

"Public Communication and Public Policy delves deep into the foundational principles of democracy, shedding light on contemporary trends in policy development processes and offering a practical guide to recalibrating policy engagement and participation. Despite democracy's core emphasis on inclusivity and public participation, this text exposes a prevalent deficit in authentic consultation, engagement, and involvement within modern governance. Rather than nurturing genuine dialogue, these processes often rely on superficial measures, reducing public participation to mere token gestures. The author draws on a number of case studies, interviews, and literature reviews to provide an overview of the complexities of this issue, and advocates for the prioritization of meaningful consultation, engagement, and participation, alongside a commitment to make governmental communication more transparent. The book not only identifies challenges but also provides insights into how to co-design, co-develop, evaluate, and communicate more effectively, utilizing business mechanisms such as consultations and roundtable discussions. Aimed at students and scholars of public policy, public communication, government communication, and political science, as well as professionals working in government and policy development, Public Communication and Public Policy offers a comprehensive overview of current policy communication as well as possibilities for the future."--