REBUILDING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS TOGETHER -- Contents -- Introduction -- I: This Problem Belongs to Everyone -- II: What Is a Democratic Professional? -- III: Why Are Public Institutions Repellent to Citizen Agency? -- IV: Thinking (and Acting) for Ourselves: Rebuilding Public Institutions -- V: Growing Cultures of Participatory Innovation -- Conclusion: Democratic Professionals on Campus? -- Acknowledgments -- Notes
Summary
The Laurence and Lynne Brown Democracy Medal is an initiative of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Pennsylvania State University. It annually recognizes outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations that produce exceptional innovations to further democracy in the United States or around the world. In this book, Albert W. Dzur argues that some of the most innovative and important work in democracy is taking place face-to-face and isbeing led by professionals who bring those involved into the decisionmaking process. These "democratic professionals" create a culture thatleads to better decisions and overcomes what he calls "civic lethargy." He focuses on how this democratic professionalism manifests itself in the operation of a wide range of public institutions, including schools and local government, as well as in the reform of our criminal justice system, from juries to prisons
