eDemocracy Some policy thoughts

1
e-DemocracySome policy thoughts

• George Papapavlou
• European Commission
• DG INFSO
• LAB meeting 21 June 2001

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DEMOCRACY-some concepts

• Peoples sovereignty
• Universal, secret voting
• Participation in the decision making
• Freedom of information
• Freedom of expression
• Right of association
• Privacy
• Pluralism, minorities, cultural diversity

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Peoples sovereignty

• PROBLEM We vote 3 times every 3-5 years, en bloc
  on all policy subjects
• POSSIBILITIES
  More frequent voting on
  specific subjects of national, regional or local
  significance
• RISKS
  Referendum democracies,
  emotionalism, populism,(non) secrecy, integrity,
  authenticity of vote
• CONDITIONS
  Internet accessible to
  all, well-prepared votes with a lot of prior
  discussion and some time distance from
  sensational events, high security

4
Freedom of (access to) information

• PROBLEM Media crisis, slogans, sensationalism,
  vested interests,
• POSSIBILITIES
  Detailed
  documentation, analysis, specialized information,
  pluralism, real discussion, state transparency
• RISKS
  Information
  overload, spam, haves-have nots,inadvertent
  access to illegal-harmful content, how to protect
  privacy, overcommercialisation (less public
  domain) on the Net
• CONDITIONS
  
  Internet access for all, effective legislation,
  support to quality non commercial programmes,
  full competition, pluralism, user empowerment

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Freedom of expression

• PROBLEM Limited average citizens reach to
  traditional media
• POSSIBILITIES
  Large potential
  audience, no geographic limitations, equal
  chances, real-problem agendas (no media agendas),
  real discussion
• RISKS
  Not
  yet equal Internet opportunities for all,
  illegal-harmful content (where do we draw the
  line), tool for criminal acts (e.g. pedophilia)
• CONDITIONS
  
  Internet accessible to all, strict-effective
  legislation but control the controllers (no
  uncontrolled powers to law enforcement)

6
Privacy

• PROBLEM Increasing collection- circulation of
  personal data, confusion on limits between
  privacy and publicity, increasing commercial
  significance of personal data
• POSSIBILITIES
  Numerous new good services
  for citizens and consumers
• RISKS
  Abuses,
  privacy infringements at global level
• CONDITIONS
  Effective
  legislation, global agreement, education

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Right of association

• PROBLEM Non transparency in party procedures,
  democratic deficit, established power holders
  (same political elites), no motivation for
  citizens participation
• POSSIBILITIES
  Alternative
  political-social initiatives, no geographic
  distance, easier direct control of processes,
  discussion, participation in decision-taking
• RISKS
  Haves-have
  nots, same possibilities for illegal groups
  (organised crime), less personal contact
• CONDITIONS
  
  Internet access to all, education-awareness-user
  empowerment

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Minorities, Pluralism, Culture

• PROBLEM Permanent majorities, vested interests,
  overcommercialisation, Hollywood (or worse)
  cultural model
• POSSIBILITIES
  Means of
  minorities expression and communication, tool
  for exchanging cultural products
• RISKS
  Some minorities
  beyond democracy limits (pedophiles, racists,
  violence advocates) minorities may become more
  visible-easier targets uncontrolled market rule
  does not always lead to pluralism and quality
  content
• CONDITIONS
  Respect
  minorities, support quality cultural products,
  supervise media ownership

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CONCLUSIONSConditions for e-democracy

• Internet accessible to all (market in the right
  direction but some state initiatives can be
  useful)
• Prudent use, no excessive, manipulated referenda
• Secure networks and systems
• Legislation penal, privacy, competition,
  pluralism
• User empowerment
• Support quality culture and information
  programmes
• State transparency, access to public sector
  information
• Effective control of (increased?) law enforcement
  powers
• Respect minorities
• Global agreements, international solidarity to
  democratic processes

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Shall we have e-democracy?

• ICTs and the Internet are only tools
• Citizens are free to lawfully use them as they
  please (currently music and sex have the highest
  usage)
• Effective legislation, state transparency,
  responsible use, quality support, minorities
  respect, etc. are political and social
  conditions, not technological ones
• Education comes first
• An informed citizens society using the new
  tools, not technology on its own, may achieve
  electronic democracy