Page 97 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

The following examination of literature related to civic engagement, dialogue, and

emergent themes uncovered during data collection and analysis includes: civic dialogue, the public

sphere, public hearings and town meetings, conflict and tension, reason and rational discourses,

and dialogic themes that discuss social issues particularly focusing on awareness of

environmentalism, poverty, implicit bias and racism. A review of the literature here covers these

varied topics and establishes a framework for understanding the core research questions and the

context in which it was explored which will then be reviewed from case studies I conducted.

Social Issues Deliberation

Scholars describe the purposes and benefits of adopting deliberative approaches as a

prominent trait of democratic society. In presenting the literature review of theories relevant to

citizen engagement and the work of the public, this review will address topics including the most

crucial elements of Community Conversations; deliberation, deliberative democracy, tension and

disagreement, and power and justice from various scholarly perspectives.

At the core of a Community Conversation is an issue that is of concern either for an

individual bringing it up or its the theme or inclusive of the agenda of talking points. Some groups

meet simply to tackle a particular topic(s) such as the CDC series on Mental Health while others

might convene as media narratives or local incidents such as a weather disaster or school shooting

warrant a Community Conversation. Each subject requires delicate facilitation and consideration.

My interest in the potentiality of CCs is a coming together of participants that define

community and therefore ripe for consideration. What is the depth of dialogue, how deep can we

go – what is the ultimate aim or outcome that presents itself as a solution or way forward for

society to evolve and consider itself in the realm of creating an egalitarian sustainable future?

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