Agent of Democracy - Society for College and University Planning

Public Work
Moving from “Democratic State” to “Democratic Society”:
Our Work as Intellectuals
Expert/critic/
Intellectual
Identity commentator leader/catalyst
Definition Democratic Democratic
of democracy state society
Definition Consumer, client, Cocreator,
of citizen voter, individual problem solver
with rights; spectator
of politics
Purpose of work Analyze policy; Stimulate a conversation;
as intellectuals express opinion; challenge“the world as
critique existing it is”in order to help
society
create a new sense of
possibility beyond the
given
Stance Detached, objective Engaged;“part of the mix”
Core work Gather, analyze, Build relationships;
and disseminate stimulate public discusinformation
sion; activate and
energize
Responsibility Highlight injustice Expand public space;
and inequality; speak advocate for policies that
on behalf of the empower the people and
voiceless; promote build civic energy
“fix it”policies
Relationships Sectoral/disciplinary/ Strategic partnerships to
and sphere “in-group,” stimulate and expand
of work self-referential/ discussion;“public space”
“enclosed space”
Content and Activities (statements, Action (strategic intervenoutcomes
interviews, articles, tions in alliance with
submissions, events, others to promote
and so on)
system change)
Methods Reports, studies, Building relationships,
Power Point
tapping diverse interests,
presentations, creating alliances
Web sites, databases
Evaluation Numbers (events, Impact (shift in discourse;
beneficiaries,
change in attitudes,
and so on)
people, or capacity)
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