Managing Citizen Engagement Overload

When government gets too much of a good thing, can open-source technology help?

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The government gets more feedback than it can handle.

In part, that's because public-sector leaders have asked for it. Public officials want increased citizen engagement.

But part of the overload comes from advocacy groups that have launched campaigns to swamp elected officials with calls and emails. Social media has also made it so much easier for amplifying voices vying for the attention of politicians and public officials.

Enter the OpenGov Foundation, a nonpolitical nonprofit that's working with Congress to explore open-source solutions for getting its arms around overwhelming constituent communication. The answers to date are incomplete and solutions inadequate, but the lessons from the research have implications for state and local legislators.

On this episode of "Go Public," Government Technology's Noelle Knell and Zack Quaintance take stock of public engagement today and the prospects for creating satisfying experiences between citizens and their government.

Listen below and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher . 

 


 
 

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Paul W. Taylor is the Senior Editor for e.Republic Editorial and of its flagship titles - Governing and Government Technology. He can be reached at ptaylor@governing.com or on Twitter at @pwtaylor.
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