Claim your place. Speak your mind.

The Crisis in Public Consultation

Colleen Hardwick

Figure 1. Voting Turnout in Canadian Federal Elections (1945–2000)

Figure 2. Voting Turnout in Selected Foreign Countries

Direct Democracy vs. Representative Government

Politics as a process of public persuasion- Aristotle

Persuasion that takes placebefore a public audience isnot only a matter of argumentsbut also of credibility andemotional attitudes.

Anonymity Breeds Contempt

The promise of public consultation