Type of space

Official

Quasi-Official

Third Places

Incidental

Private

Description

Designated as an official place and time to discuss issues. Public officials usually in charge.

Professionalization of citizen input. Leadership clearly identified. Formal meets and events are held.

Rooted in daily life. Comfortable public gathering places where people choose to spend their free time. Usually no formal leader, but certain people are catalysts.

Random, everyday encounters between friends and acquaintances (not in Third Places).

Inside the home.

What usually happens

Can be divisive, partisan. Goal is usually to win for your side and often cut down the other. Problem-solving can be hard.

Often productive but can slide into public meeting syndrome. Usually a planned agenda.

Not expressly political, but talk about common challenges is frequent. People talk informally to understand concerns and test ideas. Can lead to quasi-official spaces.

People “visit,” tell stories, gossip, chit-chat. Occasionally, people connect private concerns to community or public issues. A key information source for most citizens.

Talk centers on the private life of the household. Public issues discussed in the context of private concerns or beliefs.

Who’s involved

Public officials, organized interests, vocal citizens, often with an ax to grind.

“Professional citizens,” officials often visit.

Community catalysts, citizens with something in common (neighborhood, ethnicity, parenthood, work).

Immediate neighbors, people who already know each other.

Family and close friends.

Examples

City council sessions, citizen planning meetings, “town meetings”

Neighborhood associations, civic groups, non-profit grassroots organizations.

Barbershops, churches, playgrounds, bars, bookstores, cafes, recreation centers, nail salons.

Immediate neighbors, people who already know each other.

Family and close friends.

Public Perceptions

People are often turned off by these spaces, seen as cynical, divisive, politics-as-usual.

Seen as more authentic than regular “politics” – but few people are involved. Politically “active” citizens dominate.

Savvy citizens and some civic leaders know these are key community places. Thriving third places are becoming rare in many areas.

Much broader participation than first three layers. Not thought of as political but as a natural part of life.

Personal, private.

News media’s role

Already covered extensively. Good place to get the “official story” and opinions of organized groups.

Those involved would like more coverage of their work, but are sensitive to criticism. Reporters are usually welcome.

Reporters may enter and cover under certain conditions. Reporters need to be careful not to change the nature of the space.

Dispersed, difficult to cover. Reporters need to be careful not to change the nature of the space.

Can be covered in human-interest stories, but intervening layers of public life are missing.