Recent developments in UK public policy have emphasized the need for greater public participation in decision-making and for new forms of democratic practice. Enhanced public participation is viewed as capable of improving the quality and legitimacy of decisions in government, health services, local government, and other public bodies. As a consequence there has been an explosion of participative forums, including citizens juries, area committees, neighborhood forums, tenant groups, user groups, and groups reflecting what are viewed as communities of interest or identity. This book provides an empirical and theoretical analysis of public participation in policy making and implementation. The book examines the ways in which institutions enable and constrain the development of public participation initiatives and the consequences of this. It also considers whether participation makes a difference to the conduct of officials or to the processes of governance through which public services