The jury and democracy
Subtitle: how jury deliberation promotes civic engagement and political participation
By: John Gastil ... [et al.].
Contributors: Gastil, John.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 267
ISBN-13: 9780195377309; 9780195377316
Subjects: Political participation -- United States; Deliberative democracy -- United States; Jury -- United States -- Decision making; Jury duty -- United States
Description: Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, and the U.S. Supreme Court have all alleged that jury service promotes civic and political engagement, yet none could prove it. Finally, The Jury and Democracy provides compelling systematic evidence to support this view. Drawing from in-depth interviews, thousands of juror surveys, and court and voting records from across the United States, the authors show that serving on a jury can trigger changes in how citizens view themselves, their peers, and their government--and can even significantly increase electoral turnout among infrequent voters. Jury service also sparks long-term shifts in media use, political action, and community involvement. In an era when involved Americans are searching for ways to inspire their fellow citizens, The Jury and Democracy offers a plausible and realistic path for turning passive spectators into active political participants. First book to present strong empirical evidence linking jury service and increased civic participation; demonstrates the impact jury service has on even the most disengaged citizens ; based on original research and interviews, and includes a wealth of data--Back cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.