Page 96 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

Chapter II: Literature Review

Introduction

Since the literature on the specific term “community conversations” is scant, my research

and reading utilizing the variations and key words ‘Deliberative Democracy and Participatory

Dialogue, Civic and Public Engagement’ along with other terms defining “Community

Involvement” including “Bohm Dialogue” and the dynamics of communication brought forth a

wealth of information which was certainly sufficient enough to initiate far further reading and

continue respite on my research journey. Later I was able to uncover a plethora of scholarly insight

and perspectives, presenting foundational information that represent those core theories that are

critical to understanding the concepts of group process interactions and communication, enough

so that I am able to provide an in-depth analysis of origins and current state of having conversation.

My research looked at study findings, news stories and community efforts that included

deliberative democracy, participatory and public engagement practices among other related terms,

some ideas returned to concepts and words I had used in earlier WISR papers that I wrote outlining

various theories. I then focused on those specific ideas that best explained group dynamics and

communication exchange which gave me new insight for social change within the realm of

participatory action. Within these wide number of references named I found a wealth of material.

The literature of civic engagement and group dialogue establishes intersections between

public engagement, deliberative democracy, and the business of democracy and government. The

literature conducted for this research includes insight into the development of democratic practices,

inclusive democracy, and examines ways in which individuals publicly gather to discuss issues of

the day and exchange personal opinions in a public forum beyond your typical public hearing.

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