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Good Governance Starts with Citizen Reports—but Responsiveness Matters

Citizens often don't report issues to governments because they aren't sure their feedback will lead to change, creating a disengagement dilemma. This cycle can ultimately hinder government effectiveness.

📍 Context: Uganda's solid waste services

participants recruited through community nomination or leader recognition didn't increase reporting rates significantly. 📍 The Fix: Timely government responsiveness did work—but only for early recruits and those who'd been reporting the longest.

✅ Key Finding: Responsiveness sustained citizen participation over several months, boosting information flows essential to good governance.

💡 Why It Matters: This highlights how governments can overcome barriers to citizen feedback by ensuring timely action. Regular responsiveness helps maintain trust.

British Journal of Political Science
Escaping the Disengagement Dilemma: Two Field Experiments on Motivating Citizens to Report on Public Services was authored by Mark Buntaine, Daniel Nielson and Jacob Skaggs. It was published in BJPS in 2021. Find on Google Scholar10.1017/S0007123419000322
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