Description (short summary):
The new Information and Communications Technologies are gradually giving rise to a radical transformation in the current scenario. Globalisation, the new economy, the predominant role of finance in economic activity, the opening up of international markets: these are only some of the features of the epoch-making change underway. The introduction of the new digital media have resulted in a thorough transformation of communication and access to information, as well as in reorganising the way in which the production processes of both businesses and government bodies are organised, while establishing and experimenting with new systems of training and instruction.

As far as the public sector is concerned, there is no mistake in the fact that the development of the information systems of the public administration has proven to be a formidable tool when it comes to restoring the efficiency and quality of services. The process of reorganisation and innovation aimed at improving public-sector performance still represents only one facet of the necessary adjustment of the modus operandi of democratic institutions to meet the demands of the new social context.

Political institutions are called on to respond not only to the challenge of raising levels of administrative efficiency, but also of addressing the inadequacy of the channels traditionally used to satisfy the demands of the political process. Being citizens of an information society means not only being able to access the services of a more efficient public administration, one capable of designing services that meet the needs of its users, but also being offered a new way of taking part in public life. 

The previous edition (2008) of this volume is available in the ePractice Library.

Number of pages: 396