Rethinking Civic Roles

Abstract

This chapter examines not only what politicians can do to narrow the distance between them and their constituents, but how they should carry out their civic roles with suggested principles and practical examples. In addition to the interactions to be developed, attention is also given to the challenge to open civic roles to wider participation. Politicians are generally perceived to be a breed apart, a separate political class far removed from the lives of ordinary people. With the risks and difficulties associated with political exit further dissuading some from standing in the first place, and heightening the reluctance of those in office to leave, it is argued that with more ‘fluidity’ into and out of political office – experimenting with term limits or with some citizens serving a political term by lottery - a wider range of people could have the opportunity to gain experience of the complex demands and pressures of political office.