Community governance

American politics, especially at the national level, has become dysfunctional; citizens are deeply frustrated with their political leaders and feel that political institutions are unresponsive and corrupted by entrenched power and money. Government leaders must bear the brunt of this anger and distrust, and subsequently feel a sense of disconnection between themselves and those whom they serve. Ironically, at the same time as the ability of local government to solve problems is severely hindered due to this ‘disconnect,' devolution at the federal and state level is forcing local government to take more and more responsibility for resolving local challenges. This essay argues that the solution to this impasse lies in re-inventing the way communities operate—we need to make a shift from government to governance. The dominant model of local politics, which fit the political landscape of the 1940s–1970s, vested decision making authority solely with governmental leadership; citizens voted and governors governed. This essay describes a new mode of operation, one where non-governmental actors are ‘granted a seat at the table.' In this model the goal of political struggles is no longer to defeat your enemy, but to reach collaborative, consensus-based decisions; government, business, community groups and citizens work together; and leaders share power, working to enable others to decide issues.