Opportunity for leadership : full and informed participation / Mark Winston.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Winston, Mark.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political participation--United States.

Political participation.

United States.

Freedom of information--United States.

Freedom of information.

Physical Description:

xii, 109 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Libraries Unlimited, 2008.

Summary:

An informed citizenry, capable of informed participation, is one of the principles on which U.S. democracy is based. To what extent does civic engagement and participation in the political process require access to information representing various viewpoints and perspectives? In turn, how do issues of race, ethnicity and culture, language, economic disparity, and geographic isolation limit such access? Mark Winston examines a cross section of individual, collective, and organizational efforts-from both ends of the political spectrum-to control information access in the hopes of protecting society from itself.

Beginning with Brown v. Board of Education, he considers the roles played by equality of educational opportunity and agencies such as the library as essential influences on public discourse and sound decision-making.

Contents:

Brown v. Board of Education and the constitutional basis for access to information (and informed participation)

The value of access to information in a competitive environment

The controversy over access to information

An ethics crisis

Decision making

Civic engagement and access to information.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781591583875

159158387X

OCLC:

184924491