Citizen Information Systems: Using Technology to Extend the Dialogue between Citizens and Their Government

This article describes a citizen information system. Such a system (panel in type, neighborhood in orientation, public in character) is an important link in extending the notion of citizen participation in both policy and programs in a rapidly changing society. This extension is essential, since over time citizen participation schemes have tended to move in a way limiting the number of citizens involved. This limiting aspect is anachronistic in a democratic society, but, more importantly, turbulence or irrelevance may be expected unless the pendulum is moving to become more inclusive in an ongoing way (rather than exclusive). In addition to the information structure a second part of the participation strategy proposes considerations and trade-off possibilities for citizen use. An Urban-University Service Center (in analogy to the Agricultural Extension Service) is suggested as one vehicle for actualizing the use model of the participation strategy. The need for citizen advocates as a part of a use strategy is suggested in an intelligently formulated adversary process based on continued gathering and exploitation of suitably arranged information systems.