COLLABORATIVE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND THE VALUES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

This article discusses the place of collaborative citizen participation within public administration. Specifically, it aims to analyze collaborative governance’s advantages for addressing the wicked problems governments face today. According to the author, approaches like New Public Management have proven incapable of tackling new challenges. Consequently, new alternatives are required. Collaborative participation is key for improving the quality of government because it promotes values such as innovation, transparency, and participation. The article describes examples of civic applications (apps) that have brought public officials and civil society together in the design of public services. It concludes that public administration experts must pay more attention to values other than those traditionally considered in debates on administrative reforms (such as profitability and efficiency).