Promise and Problems of E-Democracy: Challenges of Online Citizen Engagement (Emerging Economies Transition)

Today, all OECD member countries recognise new information and communication technologies (ICTs) to be powerful tools for enhancing citizen engagement in public policy-making. The unprecedented degree of interactivity offered by new ICTs has the potential to expand the scope, breadth and depth of government consultations with citizens and other key stakeholders during policy-making. This book highlights policy lessons in using ICTs to provide information, opportunities for consultation and public participation in policy-making. It includes numerous examples of current practice from 12 OECD member countries (Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovak Republic, Sweden, UK) as well as the European Commission. It does not deal with online service delivery nor with ICT applications to elections (e.g. e-voting) although some of the issues discussed here, such as providing information online, may be relevant for both. Finally, the book suggests 10 guiding principles for successful online consultation and identifies five key challenges for online citizen engagement in policy-making. Foreword Acknowledgements Table of contents Executive summary Part I. Using Information and Communication Technologies to Enhance Citizen Engagement in the Policy Process Part II. The Future of the Internet and Democracy Beyond Metaphors, Towards Policy. "Highlights policy lessons from current experience in OECD member countries and suggests 10 guiding principles for successful online consultation."--Page 9 Includes Bibliography. Also Available Via The Internet.