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I added a link to the other e-participation article (by Pippa Norris, Harvard) commissioned by the UN to assist in the development of the World Public Sector Report. For this and other recent articles: http://www.publicus.net/e-government/#otherarticles E-Government and Democracy Article - Post 14/14 - Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------------------- By Steven Clift - http://publicus.net/e-government Posted to DoWire, join: http://dowire.org New e-mail list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] E-Government and Democracy Representation and Citizen Engagement in the Information Age By Steven L. Clift Copyright 2004 - This e-mail may be forwarded freely to anyone. Summary Introduction Initial Conclusions Research Trends Democratic Outcomes Trust and Accountability - Case 1 - Policy Leadership Legitimacy and Understanding - Case 2 - Budget Information Online - Case 3 - About Government Citizen Satisfaction and Service - Case 4 - E-mail Notification and Personalization - Case 5 - User Generated "What's Popular" Navigation Reach and Equitable Access - Case 6 - E-mail newsletters Effective Representation and Decision-Making - Case 7 - E-Parliaments - Case 8 - E-Councils - Case 9 - Decision-Making Systems Participation Through Input and Consultation - Case 10 - Advanced Online Input and Correspondence Systems - Case 11 - Online Consultations and Events Engagement and Deliberation - Case 12 - Deliberative Democracy Online Experiments - Case 13 - Online Public Issue Forums ... CONCLUSION In the end, information-age democracies must be able to accommodate the will of their people. Democratic outcomes should be directly connected to future e-government efforts and funding. I illustrated a number of case examples that demonstrate the value of democratic intent supported by effective ICT tools and strategies. We can deepen democracy and become more participatory with ICTs. This is about the reality of the new media, not just its potential. Will the current exceptional practices become universal practices? Answering this question will be a challenge for the new "wired" generation of democracy builders. To summarize our challenge: 1. Democratic necessity does not guarantee the use of ICTs based on their demonstrated or potential value. While governments may react to outside changes in their political environment due to ICT use in society, those in power need to decide in the interest of their society to bring ICTs into the heart of governance. Only in rare cases will ICTs wash over non-adaptive political systems. 2. The use of ICTs in democracy does not guarantee their success or a positive impact. Faults in adaptation to local conditions, culture, law, and implementation with follow through are real challenges. 3. Success in one country or government agency does not guarantee its spread nor its sustained use even when clear value is demonstrated. Elections happen. New leaders often shift their political priorities and approaches. 4. However, the value of the universal spread of ICT practices and strategies that address democratic necessities is immense. The tenuous nature of democracy requires continuous improvement and sustained enrichment with the newest tools available. 5. Therefore, one needs to articulate the necessity, demonstrate and document success toward desired democratic outcomes, and work deliberately to ensure its spread. Based on a country's or a community's democratic structure and history, each generation of citizens and leaders must build their own democratic experience and spirit. The previous generation saw their political systems and practices dramatically altered by mass media. The next generation has the democratic opportunity to use ICTs to help them meet public challenges and promote human and social development. To this end, building momentum is more important than achieving quick success in order to ensure democracy in the information-age. [SLC March 2004 - I put my "civil society" hat on in my World Summit speech in Geneva. It builds on my conclusion and offers some priorities for action: http://www.publicus.net/articles/democraticevolution.html ] ------------------------------------------------------------ Coming up next ... That's it. For the full paper in Word or PDF format see: http://www.publicus.net/e-government This article is based on research provided to the United Nations for the 2003 World Public Sector Report. Links to that report from: http://www.publicus.net/e-government ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - - - W: http://publicus.net Minneapolis - - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - MSN/Y!/AIM: netclift Join my Democracies Online Newswire: http://dowire.org EDem's Election 2004 Links: http://e-democracy.org/us *** Past Messages, to Subscribe: http://dowire.org *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
