Making a Difference With Participatory Democracy: An Alternative Vision of Taking Qualitative Research to the Public Realm

Abstract

From many disciplines come the calls for academic researchers and specialists to seek a greater participation in the public sphere. In a mass mediated age, these calls imply a greater participation with mass media sources and operatives. Many of us have had considerable experience with mass media, and the problems and limitations of these relationships are described. More effective strategies for making a public impact are described. These involve making passionate commitments of local organizations and groups, and working with them over many decades, to progressively develop trusting interpersonal relationships with their members, and increasing levels of trust and responsibility.