Civic Sense as Behavioral Infrastructure

Reflexive Governance and Public Responsibility in Decentralized India

Abstract

The civic sense, conceived as a form of behavioral infrastructure, constitutes the foundational yet under-theorized pillar of democratic governance—particularly within the decentralized systems like those in India. Moving beyond its conventional framing as etiquette or social courtesy, the civic sense functions as a structural force shaping the institutional efficiency, public trust, and participatory accountability. This study interrogates the role of the civic ethos in local governance by drawing on comparative evidence from Dhaka (Bangladesh) and multiple districts in Kerala (India). It demonstrates that the civic indifference—expressed through disregard for public norms, low community engagement and rule evasion—undermines policy outcomes, and strains institutional capacity. In contrast, ethically informed public conduct, when cultivated through inclusive education, social modelling, and participatory spaces, reinforces governance responsiveness. Grounded in a reflexive governance framework, the study proposes an integrated model that connects citizenly practices with systemic performance, offering policy innovations such as civic audits, participatory dashboards, and embedded civic learning. Empirical findings highlight how variables such as age, gender, and institutional trust influence civic responsiveness, and affirm that democratic decentralization requires more than structural devolution—it demands a cultural infrastructure of responsibility and engagement. By positioning civic sense as a measurable, teachable, and policy-relevant dimension of governance, the paper contributes to contemporary debates in democratic theory, public administration, and civic renewal in postcolonial societies.