Citizen engagement and activism inform government of the needs of the citizenry and often result in the implementation of polices and laws that address those needs. On a national level, a number of events in recent history illustrate the impact of citizen engagement in public administration and public policy. One example is the establishment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Public outcry following the publication of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle led to the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, which established the FDA. Similarly, massive citizen protests had an impact on the ending of the war in Vietnam.

For this Discussion, select a specific example, from your own experience or from the media (such as the Occupy Wall Street movement) that illustrates the role of citizen engagement and activism as they relate to public administration and/or public policy. Search the Walden Library, and select an article that supports or expands upon your example of citizen engagement.

Readings

• Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E. W., Borick, C. P., & Wyde, A. C. (2017). Introducing public administration (9th. ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Review Chapter 2, “The Political and Cultural Environment of Public Policy and Its Administration” (pp. 40-70)

• Bryer, T. A. (2013). Designing social media strategies for effective citizen engagement: A case example and model. National Civic Review, 102(1), 43–50.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Glaser, M. A., Hildreth, W., McGuire, B. J., & Bannon, C. (2011). Frederickson’s social equity agenda applied. Public Integrity, 14(1), 19–38.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Teachout, Z. (2012). Legalism and devolution of power in the public sphere: Reflections on Occupy Wall Street. Fordham Urban Law Journal, 39(5), 1867–1894.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• The new laboratories of democracy: How local government is reinventing civic engagement. Part one: Structure and form. (2009). National Civic Review, 98(2), 3–8.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Pfeffer, J. (1992). Understanding power in organizations. California Management Review, 34(2), 29–50.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Wedel, J. R. (2011). Federalist no. 70: Where does the public service begin and end? Public Administration Review, 71, s118–s127.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.