Fairness and Competence in Citizen Participation This book explores the evaluation of models for environmental discourse, focusing on fairness and competence in citizen participation. It is edited by Ortwin Renn, Thomas Webler, and Peter Wiedemann. The book includes contributions from various scholars and practitioners in the field of public participation. The editors emphasize the importance of involving the public in environmental decision-making to ensure that policies are both effective and fair. The book begins with a foreword that outlines the need for a framework to evaluate different models of public participation in environmental policy. The editors developed this framework based on critical theory, particularly the theory of communicative action by Jürgen Habermas. They argue that public participation is essential for democratic decision-making and that traditional forms of participation, such as hearings and advisory committees, are insufficient to meet the demands for widespread and meaningful citizen involvement. The book presents various models of public participation, including citizen advisory committees, planning cells, citizens' juries, and regulatory negotiation. Each model is evaluated based on its scope of application, potential benefits and drawbacks, and suitability for different problem types. The authors also discuss the importance of fairness and competence in public participation, emphasizing the need for transparent and inclusive processes that reflect the values and interests of the public. The book concludes with a discussion of the future of democratic process and decision-making, highlighting the challenges posed by environmental and technological issues. It argues that traditional democratic processes are often inadequate in addressing these complex issues and that new models of public participation are needed to ensure that decisions are both fair and competent. The book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of democratic process and decision-making.Fairness and Competence in Citizen Participation This book explores the evaluation of models for environmental discourse, focusing on fairness and competence in citizen participation. It is edited by Ortwin Renn, Thomas Webler, and Peter Wiedemann. The book includes contributions from various scholars and practitioners in the field of public participation. The editors emphasize the importance of involving the public in environmental decision-making to ensure that policies are both effective and fair. The book begins with a foreword that outlines the need for a framework to evaluate different models of public participation in environmental policy. The editors developed this framework based on critical theory, particularly the theory of communicative action by Jürgen Habermas. They argue that public participation is essential for democratic decision-making and that traditional forms of participation, such as hearings and advisory committees, are insufficient to meet the demands for widespread and meaningful citizen involvement. The book presents various models of public participation, including citizen advisory committees, planning cells, citizens' juries, and regulatory negotiation. Each model is evaluated based on its scope of application, potential benefits and drawbacks, and suitability for different problem types. The authors also discuss the importance of fairness and competence in public participation, emphasizing the need for transparent and inclusive processes that reflect the values and interests of the public. The book concludes with a discussion of the future of democratic process and decision-making, highlighting the challenges posed by environmental and technological issues. It argues that traditional democratic processes are often inadequate in addressing these complex issues and that new models of public participation are needed to ensure that decisions are both fair and competent. The book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of democratic process and decision-making.