E-democracy

E-democracy, a neologism and contraction of electronic democracy, is the utilization of electronic communications technologies, such as the Internet, in enhancing democratic processes within a democratic republic or representative democracy. It is a political development still in its infancy, as well as the subject of much debate and activity within government, civic-oriented groups and societies around the world.

Related Topics:
Neologism - Contraction - Electronic - Democracy - Communication - Technologies - Internet - Processes - Republic - Representative democracy

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The term is both descriptive and prescriptive. Typically, the kinds of enhancements sought by proponents of e-democracy are framed in terms of making processes more accessible; making citizen participation in public policy decision-making more expansive and direct so as to enable broader influence in policy outcomes (i.e., more heads involved could yield smarter policies); increasing transparency and accountability; and so on. E-democracy includes within its scope electronic voting, but has a much wider span than this single aspect of the democratic process.

Related Topics:
Accessible - Citizen - Participation - Public policy - Decision-making - Electronic voting

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E-democracy is also sometimes referred to as cyberdemocracy, digital democracy or techno-democracy. Prior to 1994, when the term e-democracy was coined in the midst of online civic efforts in Minnesota, the term teledemocracy was prevalent.

Related Topics:
1994 - Minnesota

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