Rules of engagement; design principles for civic dialogue in a post-truth era

Over the past fifty years there has been a shift in how citizens perceive their efficacy over, and relationship with, public institutions (Frantzich, 2005). Heightening negative sentiment has created growing distrust which in recent years has manifested itself in the rise of antigovernment populism (Lenihan, 2017). There are many contributing factors as to why this phenomenon has developed. The aim of this paper is not to tackle why it has developed but to explore ways in which design might have a positive influence.