Digital democracy. Discourses on citizen participation and information and communications technology (ICT)

Authors

  • Elena García Guitián

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.173.05

Keywords:

E-democracy, e-government, ICT, citizen participation, models of democracy

Abstract

This work analyzes the visions of democracy behind current assessments of the impact of ICT in our political systems, as well as in the institutional strategies proposed to improve its democratic character. The starting point, the popular discourse on e-democracy, presupposes that the development of online participatory processes in decision-making generates positive effects that automatically enhance the democratic quality of the system. But this approach provides us with a very limited perspective to think about ICT impact on our democracies. This evaluation should be undertaken from a more complex perspective; one that encompasses the multiple interactions between citizen participation processes, organizations and institutions, which is ultimately rooted in a specific model of democracy.

Issue

Section

ARTICLES