It's not just who makes decisions, it is how decisions are made
November 2024
This essay makes the case that achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes requires not only diversifying who makes decisions but fundamentally rethinking how decisions are made.
Traditional group-led decision-making, marked by hierarchy, conflict, and exclusion, is contrasted with citizen-led approaches, such as citizens' assemblies, which emphasise equity, deliberation, and diversity.
The case study of Citizens for Culture in the West of England is provided to demonstrate how citizen-led decision-making can democratise cultural policy, empower communities, and foster innovative governance models that prioritize public interest over self-interest.
Originally commissioned by Culture Commons for their policy initiative the Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK.
