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Public Communication and Public Policy
Reviving Democracy by Recalibrating Public Communication
Jim Macnamara (Author)
9781394265688, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 28 August 2025
352 pages
22.6 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.454 kg
An invaluable resource for shaping policies that resonate with the public and benefit democratic practices Democracy may be widespread, but its vitality is under siege. Public trust in governments and institutions has eroded to critical levels, with many democracies failing to include citizens in meaningful consultation, engagement, and participation. Public Communication and Public Policy: Reviving Democracy by Recalibrating Public Communication addresses this urgent need, exposing how one-way communication practices perpetuate disengagement and hinder policy effectiveness. Drawing on research across three continents, author Jim Macnamara dissects policy frameworks and government communication guidelines to uncover systemic shortcomings and offer actionable solutions. Combining critical literature reviews, practitioner interviews, and real-world case studies, Public Communication and Public Policy delivers detailed recommendations to reform public communication—challenging conventional approaches and advocating for recalibrated consultation and citizen participation to rebuild trust and reinvigorate democratic processes. A timely, solutions-focused analysis of democratic challenges, Public Communication and Public Policy Public Communication and Public Policy: Reviving Democracy by Recalibrating Public Communication is a must-read for academics, students, and professionals in public communication, strategic communication, and public policy. It is particularly relevant for policymakers, advisers, and government communication practitioners aiming to create inclusive, effective, and trust-building policies.
List of Figures ix List of Tables x List of Boxes xi Acknowledgements xii Abbreviations xiv Key Definitions xvii Chapter 1 The ‘Democratic Deficit’ 1 Loss of Trust 4 The Lost Public 8 Public Affairs and Lobbying 12 Types of Democracy: The Sociopolitical Context 14 References 17 Chapter 2 The Public Sphere – And Its Problems 25 The Public 26 Public Opinion 27 The Public Sphere 28 The State 32 References 44 Chapter 3 Public Policy 53 Types and Levels of Public Policy 55 Policy Sciences 56 Policy Studies 60 References 62 Chapter 4 The Public Policy Development Process 67 The Policy Environment 67 Policy Inputs 69 Policy Outputs 71 Policy Frameworks 71 The Policy Process 73 Policy Cycles 74 Policy Analysis 86 Policy Platforms 87 Finding the Policy ‘Sweet Spot’: The Overton Window 87 Public Communication and Public Policy 88 References 90 Chapter 5 Public Communication 94 Fundamentals of Communication 94 Public Communication 103 Government Communication 105 Public Sector Communication 109 Public Sphere Communication vs Public Sector Communication 110 The Public Sector Communication Ecosystem 111 European Union Initiatives 115 UK Government Communication Service (GCS) 121 French Government Information Service (GIS) 130 Open Government Partnership (OGP) 131 OECD Open Government, Civic Space, and Public Communication Unit 133 Ireland’s Open Government, Citizens’ Assemblies, and Referenda 135 Australian Public Service Approach to Engagement and Participation 137 A Home State “State of the Nation” – The NSW Department of Customer Service 140 References 144 Chapter 6 Consultation, Engagement, and Participation: Theory and Practical Insights 161 Public Consultation 163 Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement 165 Participation in Public Policy and Decision-Making 173 What Senior Public Policy and Public Communication Leaders Say 176 Findings from Senior Practitioner Interviews 197 Acknowledging Challenges 201 References 203 Chapter 7 Behavioural Insights: Is This the Answer? Or Part of the Problem? 214 How to Get People to Do Things: Biases and Heuristics 215 Who Do You Trust? 216 Behavioural Public Policy 217 Lack of Insight: The Antithetical Problem 220 References 222 Chapter 8 Recalibrating Public Communication for Public Policy 225 Applying the IP-IT Model 225 Organizational Listening 229 CEL vs. SELL 236 Integrated Models of Public Communication and Public Policy Development 237 The Time for Government Public Communication is Now 241 References 242 Chapter 9 Why Governments Don’t Listen: Challenges to Address 247 Fear 247 Bias, Heuristics, and System 1 Thinking 249 Lack of Processes, Systems, and Tools 250 Cultural Factors: The “Talkative Species” 253 References 255 Chapter 10 Enablers of Meaningful Inclusive Engagement and Participation 258 Ten Steps for Planning and Implementing Citizen Participation 259 Data Integration and Analysis 261 Deliberation 263 Mini-Publics 264 Outreach 265 Metamodernism 271 Public Communication Knowledge and Skills 273 Watchdogs to Listening Dogs: The Role of Media 279 Citizen, Heal Thyself 280 Final Words: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations 283 References 287 Appendix A: Research Methodology 298 Bibliography 303 Index 306
Subject Areas: Sociology & anthropology [JH]
