Public policy, public things

A recent episode of the Radio National Philosopher’s Zone podcast explored public policy and philosophy through ‘The Importance of Public Things’, with Professor Bonnie Honig making the argument that: “Democracy presses us into the friction of engagement with others who may not be entirely like ourselves…” and that “Public things require shared stewardship. You’re pressed into having to deal with each other and the risk of failing to do so is the loss of the public thing.” The importance of public participation in the policy process as with their access to and interaction with public things is vital to maintaining an active democracy that is more than exposition.