Reinventing Local and Metropolitan Government

Abstract

sector, and a stronger sense of community. Research also shows that communities with higher levels of social capital and citizen participation have governments that are higher performing and more responsive to the public they serve. There is evidence that communities rich in social connectedness and civic engagement produce better schools, lower crime, enhanced government performance, and increased accountability (Onyx and Bullen 2000; Putnam 2000). The literature also indicates that citizens who are actively involved with their communities or local governments are more supportive of what takes place. They are a part of the process and therefore more supportive of the outcome. Communities in which citizens are active and involved-in which a strong degree of trust and cooperation are present-tend to perform better than communities in which citizens are disengaged and lack trust in one another and in public institutions. The authors address these relationships and contribute to our understanding that people matter-that they are essential to healthy, trusting and vital communities.