international symposium on local e-democracy donald f. norris university of maryland, baltimore...

International Symposium International Symposium on Local E-Democracyon Local E-Democracy

Donald F. NorrisDonald F. NorrisUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore University of Maryland, Baltimore

CountyCounty20052005

Definition of E-Definition of E-GovernmentGovernment

International Symposium on Local E-DemocracyInternational Symposium on Local E-DemocracyDonald F. NorrisDonald F. NorrisUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County20052005

The electronic delivery of The electronic delivery of governmental information and services governmental information and services 24 hours per day, seven days per week24 hours per day, seven days per week

Norris, D.F., Fletcher, P.D., & Holden, S.H.. (2000). Norris, D.F., Fletcher, P.D., & Holden, S.H.. (2000). Is Is your local government plugged in? Highlights of the 2000 your local government plugged in? Highlights of the 2000 electronic government survey.electronic government survey. Washington, D.C.: Washington, D.C.: International City/County Management AssociationInternational City/County Management Association

E-Democracy is NOT e-E-Democracy is NOT e-governmentgovernment



E-democracy comes E-democracy comes from ?from ?

Top down- Bottom up ?Top down- Bottom up ?

Why e - democracy?Why e - democracy?

International Symposium on Local E-DemocracyInternational Symposium on Local E-Democracy

Donald F. NorrisDonald F. Norris

University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County

20052005




20052005

Democracy is broken Democracy is broken and “E” will fix it!and “E” will fix it!

Falling participation; Falling participation; decreasing trust.decreasing trust.

Definitions of E-democracyDefinitions of E-democracy


Minimalist- information and accessMinimalist- information and access

Meaningful- participation and Meaningful- participation and votingvoting

… … via electronic via electronic means…means…

The current state of e-The current state of e-democracy at the American democracy at the American

grassroots?grassroots?


The evidence: focus groups The evidence: focus groups with key informantswith key informants




20052005

Reasons for e-GovernmentReasons for e-Government


e-Government Impactse-Government Impacts




20052005

Future Plans for e-Future Plans for e-GovernmentGovernment




20052005

Future Plans for e-Future Plans for e-DemocracyDemocracy




20052005

Operational Definition of e-Operational Definition of e-democracy in the U.S. is democracy in the U.S. is

minimalistminimalist


Little real e-democracy at the Little real e-democracy at the American grassroots now or in American grassroots now or in

the foreseeable futurethe foreseeable future




20052005

International focus groupInternational focus group


More key informants, broader catchment More key informants, broader catchment areaarea




20052005

Few e-democracy projects Few e-democracy projects reportedreported

Mostly one-offsMostly one-offs

Little sustainabilityLittle sustainability

Except for the UK, few nations Except for the UK, few nations with e-democracy focuswith e-democracy focus




20052005

Little demand perceived for e-Little demand perceived for e-democracydemocracy


E-democracy will evolve E-democracy will evolve differently in different political differently in different political

culturescultures


The problem is democracyThe problem is democracy




20052005

Not the “E”Not the “E”

E-democracy should not be E-democracy should not be limited to the internetlimited to the internet


ConclusionsConclusions


Early days of e-democracyEarly days of e-democracy




20052005

Advocates versus analystsAdvocates versus analysts


Can the “E” fix broken Can the “E” fix broken democracydemocracy




20052005

If, indeed, it is broken?If, indeed, it is broken?

Will e-democracy occur ?Will e-democracy occur ?




20052005

If it does, top down or bottom If it does, top down or bottom up?up?

Who will promote and Who will promote and administer administer

e-democracy?e-democracy?


Will e-democracy supplant or Will e-democracy supplant or supplement traditional means supplement traditional means

of participation?of participation?




20052005

A hybrid?A hybrid?


Traditional representative Traditional representative democracydemocracy

E-democracy for direct E-democracy for direct participationparticipation

ENDEND


international symposium on local e-democracy donald f. norris university of maryland, baltimore...

Documents

e democracy

local edemocracy donald

norris university of

definitions of e

baltimore county

little real edemocracy

local government

operational definition