Deliberative Democracy: The Effects of Participation on Political Efficacy

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Date
2010-06-01
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[Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University
Abstract
This dissertation examines the relationship between deliberative democracy, the idea that public decisions should be made by discussion among free and equal citizens, and internal and external political efficacy. Internal political efficacy is the extent to which people feel they can competently participate in politics; external political efficacy is the extent to which people feel that government is responsive to their interests. Some scholars assert that deliberative democracy can increase perceptions of political efficacy; however, little empirical research has tested this proposition. To help fill that research gap, this study examines one deliberative process, the AmericaSpeaks 21st Century Town Meeting as convened by United Agenda for Children (UAC), a coalition of public and private organizations who joined to ensure a positive future for all the children (from birth to age 21) of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The primary research question is: What impact does participation in the AmericaSpeaks 21st Century Town Meeting have on participants' sense of internal and external political efficacy? This study uses a quasi-experimental research design, with survey data collected at three points in time from two non-equivalent comparison groups (participants and non-participants). Multiple analyses are conducted, including various regression models, Heckman treatment effect models, and propensity score matching models. The study has three major findings. First, before the Town Meeting, participants have significantly lower perceptions of external political efficacy than non-participants. Second, participation in the Town Meeting increases participants' perceptions of both internal and external political efficacy; however, only the increase in external political efficacy is statistically significant. Finally, the increase in external political efficacy persists over time. In sum, these results suggest that participation in this deliberative democracy process increases perceptions of political efficacy, and particularly perceptions of external political efficacy. The implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
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Thesis (PhD) - Indiana University, Public Affairs, 2007
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Deliberative Democracy, Political Efficacy, Political Participation
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Doctoral Dissertation