"Nowhere has this participatory ethos been more influential than at the level of local government, which has enthusiastically embraced the need for democratic innovations designed to elicit the active involvement of citizens in policy development and decision making (a process commonly referred to as ‘community engagement’). Yet at the very same time as this participatory ideal has been gaining ground, the old elitist orthodoxy has become entrenched — and indeed consolidated — within the council chamber. Citizens are encouraged to participate in non-electoral modes, while opportunities to participate as councillors in the chamber have declined precipitously".
—Conserving the Councillor