Case Studies
Better decisions through Deliberative Polling®
ICDD Faculty from the School of Leadership Studies, the English Department, K-State Libraries, and Communication Studies formed a working group to conduct the deliberative poll.
Public Smoking Arguments: A Comparison Between Issue Forums, Blogs and Public Hearings
Research on the connection between deliberation activities and democratic decision-making is challenged to demonstrate what actually occurs, not merely what the ideal should be. “Deliberative democracy” as a line of research has produced theories addressing an ideal model characterized by open citizen participation, pursuit of the common good, justification of assertions or demands by reasons, and reciprocal respect demonstrated by participants.
Surveying Interdisciplinary Scholarship on Democracy
ICDD began as a group of interdisciplinary faculty who were interested in democracy and its relationship to civic discourse. No existing databases of scholarly literature existed on democracy at that time, let alone democracy in relationship to civic discourse. This lack of a well-defined knowledge base not only handicaps research, but also challenges those wishing to develop curricula related to democracy in various disciplines. Even those from disciplines such as history or political science, whom we expected to have already identified a body of literature about democracy, had not done so.
Burning at Both Ends: A Community Discussion on Regulating Smoking
Cigarette smoking affects the lives of a vast majority of people, both smokers and nonsmokers alike. According to recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20.9% of American adults smoked cigarettes in 2005, with an additional 5% either smoking cigars or using smokeless tobacco. Additionally, over 40% of American adults are current or former smokers. Those who do not smoke can still be affected by those who do and may encounters secondhand smoke in public places.
Mental Health Case Study
On August 11, 2009 hundreds of people crowded into a high school gymnasium in Portsmouth, NH for one of President Obama’s national town hall meetings on health care. During the question and answer period, the president took a question from high school teacher Linda Becher. Becher softly asked what the president believed the impact on society would be if everyone had access to good mental health care.
Health Care Forums Case Study
Approximately 200 people participated in the forums. ICDD presented their participants’ feedback in a health-care hearing overseen by a panel including: Dr. Roger Reitz, a Kansas state senator and physician; Barbara Langner, policy director for the Kansas Health Policy Authority; Jim McLean, vice president for public affairs for the Kansas Health Institute; Chad Austin, vice president of government relations for the Kansas Hospital Association.
Communication and Democracy Case Study
This course taught students the difference between a “citizen” and a “civic leader” by discussing roles and responsibilities involved with both. According to one student, “I walked away from realizing the impact that a local voice can have on a national issue.” It developed student’s facilitation skills through group-based deliberations and taught students perspectives and techniques for effective facilitation.
The syllabus is available here.
Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan
Public stakeholders were given the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the restoration of the Missouri River. More than 180 participants attended eight meetings that were held throughout the Missouri River Basin in which information was gathered regarding social, cultural, and economic values.
Land Use in Riley County
ICDD facilitators worked with the Riley County Planning Office to engage community members in developing a comprehensive land-use plan for the county. Community engagement was key in the process.
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Journal of Public Deliberation
The Journal of Public Deliberation was created as a scholarly forum for deliberative democracy. The journal publishes information on research, opinions, projects, experiments, and experience of practitioners and academics.
Read the latest issue of the journal
-Last updated October 2011
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