Suggestions for Harnessing the Power of the Crowd

As cash-strapped and technologically savvy governments increasingly look to harness the power of the crowd, William D. Eggers and Rob Hamill offer suggestions for "Five Ways Crowdsourcing Can Transform the Public Sphere."

1 minute read

May 25, 2012, 10:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


As Eggers and Hamill note, "Turning to large groups of people to solve problems, make decisions, and generate ideas in a decentralized way is not a new concept." What is new in this day and age is the ease with which technology had made such participation more accessible than ever. "Before jumping on the crowdsourcing bandwagon, however," Eggers and Hamill note, "government organizations must first understand the five basic models and when to use the activities associated with each."

The models described by the authors include:

  • Crowd competition
  • Crowd collaboration
  • Crowd voting
  • Crowd labor
  • Crowd funding

The authors introduce handy examples of each model, hoping to guide public-sector officials to the appropriate route for establishing a personal connection with their constituents and maximizing the potential of alternative resources. 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Governing

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

2 hours ago - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

1 hour ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

3 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

4 hours ago - Happy Cities