Deliberative democracy and the role of public managers
has summarised the key findings of the year-long inquiry into public value, which was undertaken on behalf of our sponsors. In relation to our five definitions of public value, there remains a preoccupation in the UK with the issue of measurement. We conclude that, given the dynamic nature of political and social interaction that changes what the public values over time, an absolute measure is to be actively avoided. While measurement is one interesting aspect of the public value approach, a singular focus on this may lead public managers and policymakers to underestimate the more noble potential of public value theory and practice to reinvigorate public sector managers’ sense of connection with the public they are there to serve, and thereby help restore the legitimacy and responsiveness of their organisation.