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Public participation is essential for the health and sustainability of a democratic society since it involves the public in ways that help keep society running. It deals with issues that the public is concerned about, which are usually issues that will fester if they aren't dealt with, like discrimination, environmentalism, etc. Dealing with these issues helps a democratic society keep running because it's basically like housekeeping for a society as a whole. Public participation ensures that our government reflects the will of the people and that citizens remain engaged in shaping the future of their communities and our nation by involving the public in issues they are concerned about, stakeholders need to listen to what the public wants in order for the project to actually succeed since the project will need the support of the people to succeed.

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Public participation is essential for the health and sustainability of a democratic society because it guarantees that the voices of citizens are being heard. The voices of citizens are heard through their participation in group and individual activities. These activities often occur in community settings. If there was no public participation, there would be no way for our citizens to be heard and hold the government accountable. The citizens and their voices are the most important part of sustaining the health of a democratic society. The citizen participation in democracy ensures that our government is reflecting the needs and wants of the citizens. If our government does not listen to our citizens who are participating in civic activities, democracy will no longer stand. If the government does listen to our citizens, it allows the citizens to continue staying engaged in shaping the future because they will not feel as though their efforts are in vain.

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Public participation is essential for the health and sustainability of a democratic society because it requires the input of the citizens to ensure accountability for the government's actions. In addition, without public participation there is no representation. So, the government does not have the representation that provides the people a chance to voice their opinions on what is best for them as citizens. Public participation is what makes America a democracy so without it, we would have a dictatorship meaning the government is running the country with no citizen input. Public participation also ensures that our government reflects the will of the people because with the input of the citizens it keeps the government from becoming corrupt and cruel to the people, especially when the people stand up when they are unsure or unhappy with the government. If the citizens stay engaged in their public participation then more opinions are heard and change has more progress. When public participation is stopped then the government is free to make changes that benefit the government or themselves rather than the people. For instance, the wealthier people could influence the government more when no public participation is shown. Us, the citizens of America need to educate ourselves with current events and voice our opinions more to excel our future into our true government of democracy.

-Billie Leet

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Public participation is essential for the health and sustainability of a democratic society because it ensures that government remains accountable, representative, and responsive to the needs of its citizens. When people engage in civic activities such as voting, attending town hall meetings, or advocating for policy changes, they help shape the decisions that directly impact their lives and communities. Participation strengthens democracy by preventing the concentration of power to a small group. When many different voices are heard, policies are more likely to relfect the diverse ideas and beliefs of the people, fostering trust in government institutions and the democratic process. Additionally, civic engagement promotes an informed and educated communtity. People who participate in democracy are more likely to stay informed about political and social issues, which helps combat misinformation and strengthens critical thinking skills. This engagement also creates a sense of shared responsibility, encouraging individuals to work together to address and advocate for community challenges and solutions that promote the common good.

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Public participation at a local, state, and federal level helps build and maintain our democracy. The public is needed to do things like vote, and voice their opinions and different ideas in order to keep our government democratic. Democracy is a form of government where the public votes to determine which people to put "in charge" of our government. Without the participation it takes to vote people into power we would have no government which would result in a dictatorship.

Public participation ensures that the government will do what is best for all of its people instead of a specific group. When more citizens involve themselves in our government we hear more opinions and more gets done. Without public participation people in government would do what benefited themselves and wouldn't do what benefited the public. Citizens shape their future by putting effort into the government. This effort helps citizens lives, communities, and the country.

Natalie St. John

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A democratic society requires engagement and input from the people within, which are granted through public participation. Through the process of public participation citizens are given the chance to voice their opinions on decisions and legislation, ensuring that governments properly reflect the ideals of the people. Often these opportunities for public influence are limited, but each holds an important weight. Whether it's a small consult or a large decision, every bit of participation helps a democracy run smoother. Furthermore, these activities, actions, and events can help bring the community together. Diversity and inclusion between classes, genders, races, etc., are encouraged when people are brought together under a single issue or topic. Inclusion and togetherness is a vital part of a community. Additionally, public participation builds trust between stakeholders and the government. The public learn to investigate issues properly and effectively participate in their government. Citizens begin to collaborate and corroborate between themselves in a meaningful way. Leaders gain more trusting and invested citizens that they can easily understand and negotiate with. Integrating public participation can also encourage citizens to become more involved and educated about the government. Public participation has many benefits, and is indispensable in a successful democratic government.

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Without people participating in the active society through democracy, it will slowly become unconnected. Without people doing certain things as even as little as community service, protests, or expressing their voice, it will ruin the idea of democracy. As we learned the most important part of democracy, is the people and without the people participating then there is a ruined democracy. If people do not participate in their society then there will be no citizen input in important subjects, such as the wants/needs for the citizens in the government. Using the participation of the public through organizations and groups will gather people with same beliefs over a large amount of time, gathering together and using your rights to fight for certain changes you want is a good way to participate and educate others on problems. Through public participation your society also advances, if someone realizes a problem and influences others to follow in their footsteps it will result in civil matters with debates, togetherness, and come together even with differences in beliefs or morals.

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Public participation is essential for the health and sustainabilty of a democratic society because without active engagement, our democracy would lose its strength, and the needs of the people could be overlooked. Public participation ensures that our government reflects the will of the people. For example, when people uphold their responsibility to vote, they are voting for someone whom they believe alligns well with their intrests and who would make decisions that the citizen can rely on. If not everyone votes, the election is not an accurate representation of the people. Instead, it's a representation of only those who voted. Reguardless of what some people choose to believe, government does have an effect on us and the way we live. Not voting does not opt you out from any effects following an election. By choosing to participate, you are ensuring that you have a say in not just your own future, but the future of your community and our nation.

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Public Participation is essential for the health and sustainability of a democratic society. A democratic society survives on the participation of its citizens. If the citizens refused to vote or participate then the democracy would fail. Presidents would not be elected, the economy would suffer, and many of the rights we have as a country would fail. Opposing this, if citizens payed attention and participated actively in government then the government would be able to make decisions that actively help the citizens. Citizens will have a choice in who they vote for and in turn, will help what polices and laws are passed. This will help the government understand what its citizens need.

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Please make sure to answer each part of the question. Answers should be at least three to five sentences long using proper spelling, capitalization, grammar, and punctuation.