This Democracy Forum Discussion was set up with support from the Public Administration Select Committee and enquired into all aspects of electronic democracy. It discussed such questions as:
How have electronic forms of communication been used so far by government to enhance citizen participation in shaping policy or the implementation of government programmes? How have they been used by non-government organisations?
What are the practical or democratic limits on the use of electronic forms of communication for the discussion and debate of issues which are relevant to a whole community? To what extent is this likely to affect traditional forms of representative government?
What are the prospects for further developments in electronic communication - including digital television - to be used to enhance citizen participation in government further?
A selected panel of experts, with experience of e-democracy projects, took part in a closed discussion. We also wanted to hear from the wider public. So, we invited them to send us their own thoughts. The best were included in the submission to be made to the Select Committee. There was also a chance to add weight to our online opinion barometer. This was not a voting or scientific polling device, but a monitor intensity of opinions held.
Click here to see the archived on-line Conference on "electronic democracy" as a read-only Forum. Please note that only registered users, with a password, can enter.
If you think that there is an issue of this kind that should be debated in the Democracy Forum please do tell us.
