Four Decades of Public Participation in Risk Decision Making.

Autor: Webler, Thomas; Tuler, Seth

Publication year: 2021

Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis

issn:1539-6924 0272-4332

doi: 10.1111/risa.13250

Abstract:

Over the past four decades, the promise of public participation to improve decisions, obtain legitimacy, and build capacity for risk decision making and management has had a mixed record. In this article, we offer a narrative of how public participation has evolved in the United States and we examine prospects for its future. We trace three forces that have had significant impact on practice: an emergent emphasis on democratic deliberation, a transition from dichotomous thinking about science versus politics to an integrated perspective, and the recognition that different parties to the decision-making process bring valid epistemological contributions. The promise of public participation in risk decision making is challenged by loss of trust in institutions and individuals and by broad socio-political dynamics that are weakening democratic values and processes. These include the scarcity of attitudes and aptitudes supportive of public participation among both individuals and institutions; an anti-democratic political atmosphere that promotes disrespect; pursuit of private interests over the common good; failure to appreciate the limitations of dialogue and learning; underutilization of existing knowledge; and insufficient knowledge of how context matters. We end by offering several suggestions for focusing further research and improving practice.

Language: eng

Pmid: 30549458

Tags: risk management; Analytic-deliberation; public participation; risk decision making; stakeholder engagement

Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30549458/