Citizens’ Assemblies: Putting Governance in the Hands of Everyday People

Citizens’ Assemblies are an approach to political decision-making that places influence directly in the hands of everyday people. In a citizens’ assembly, a panel of randomly-chosen constituents convenes to hear from experts, deliberate, and ultimately make policy recommendations on a policy issue.

Now used for national decision-making in multiple European countries, citizens’ assemblies are gaining popularity for their potential to fulfill two key promises: facilitate well-informed political decisions and increase public trust and investment in democratic institutions. Join Bailey Flanigan, Ph.D. candidate at Carnegie Mellon University, to learn more about how citizens’ assemblies are making democratic processes more equitable and productive.