“The relationship between ordinary people and their local government is changing. Citizens may have less time for public life, but they bring more knowledge and skills to the table.  They feel more entitled to the services and protection of government, and yet have less faith that government will be able to deliver on those promises. They are less connected to community affairs, yet they seem better able to find the information, allies and resources they need to affect an issue or decision they care about. At the beginning of the 21st century, citizens seem better at governing and worse at being governed than ever before.”