Participation and Power
Civic Discourse in Environmental Policy Decisions
Published on 3. January 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
214 pages
978-0-7914-6996-5 (ISBN)
Description
Takes a firsthand look at a case of public participation in environmental policy.
Participation and Power examines the ways in which citizens are allowed to participate in environmental policy decision making. Despite requirements that mandate public participation, institutional practices and current models of public participation often exclude citizens from anything other than a superficial role. W. Michele Simmons offers a firsthand look at risk communication and public participation practices through a case study involving the disposal of VX nerve agent. Arguing that a rhetoric for civic discourse in policy debates is needed, she constructs a theory of democratic and ethical public involvement that grants citizens more power in the decision-making process.
Participation and Power examines the ways in which citizens are allowed to participate in environmental policy decision making. Despite requirements that mandate public participation, institutional practices and current models of public participation often exclude citizens from anything other than a superficial role. W. Michele Simmons offers a firsthand look at risk communication and public participation practices through a case study involving the disposal of VX nerve agent. Arguing that a rhetoric for civic discourse in policy debates is needed, she constructs a theory of democratic and ethical public involvement that grants citizens more power in the decision-making process.
Reviews / Votes
"Simmons forges a strong claim for the greater value and potential of meaningful dialogue in risk communication." - Bill Karis, coeditor of Technical Communication, Deliberative Rhetoric, and Environmental Discourse: Connections and Directions"Not only is the problem of risk communication relevant, but the use of both rhetorical and technical communication theory makes the approach to the problems in risk communication seem solvable. Further, the question of actual public participation in risk communication should be of interest to scholars and practitioners beyond the immediate field of technical and scientific communication." - Robert R. Johnson, author of User-Centered Technology: A Rhetorical Theory for Computers and Other Mundane Artifacts
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
College/higher education
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
1 Tables, black and white; 17 Figures; 2 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
304 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-6996-5 (9780791469965)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/2012
State University of New York Press
€36.49
Available for download
Person
W. Michele Simmons is Assistant Professor of English at Miami University in Ohio.
Content
Figures and Tables
Acknowledgments
1. Citizens, Institutions, and the Construction of Environmental Policy
2. Citizens Involved: Mapping Public Participation and Power in Risk Communication Practices
3. A Case of Institutional Power: Public Participation Decisions about VX Nerve Agent Disposal at the Newport Chemical Depot
4. Toward a Participatory Approach to Decision Making: Creating a Space for Public Discourse in Technical Issues
5. Participation and Power: Transforming the Possibilities of Public Participation in Environmental Policy Decisions
6. Toward a Just and Participatory Environment: Civic Research in/from the Academy
Epilogue: Heightened National Security and Public Participation
Appendix A: Public Notice Sample
Appendix B: Sample of Comments Section from Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Appendix C: Sample of Comments Section from Final Environmental Impact Statement
Appendix D: Sample of Comments Section from IDEM Notice of Decision
Appendix E: House Enrolled Act No. 1143
Appendix F: Questions and Answers about the Newport Chemical Depot
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
1. Citizens, Institutions, and the Construction of Environmental Policy
2. Citizens Involved: Mapping Public Participation and Power in Risk Communication Practices
3. A Case of Institutional Power: Public Participation Decisions about VX Nerve Agent Disposal at the Newport Chemical Depot
4. Toward a Participatory Approach to Decision Making: Creating a Space for Public Discourse in Technical Issues
5. Participation and Power: Transforming the Possibilities of Public Participation in Environmental Policy Decisions
6. Toward a Just and Participatory Environment: Civic Research in/from the Academy
Epilogue: Heightened National Security and Public Participation
Appendix A: Public Notice Sample
Appendix B: Sample of Comments Section from Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Appendix C: Sample of Comments Section from Final Environmental Impact Statement
Appendix D: Sample of Comments Section from IDEM Notice of Decision
Appendix E: House Enrolled Act No. 1143
Appendix F: Questions and Answers about the Newport Chemical Depot
Notes
Bibliography
Index