Policy Context and Legal Framework

The idea that public deliberation and civic engagement are vital for democracy is probably as old as democracy. The idea that internet-enabled public deliberation and participation are vital for democracy is probably as old as the internet. For example, studies found that politically active citizens view internet information and communication as encouraging civic engagement [26]. Since the early 1990s, online community networks have formed around broader issues of public interest and local decision-making [32]. Yet, co-evolution of internet and democracy is nowhere near that of internet and business or social life. Political philosophers and computer professionals identify similar objectives: reinvigorating democracy requires commitment to the public sphere [22] [32]. This commitment appears to be lacking, not with the constituency but with those responsible for listening to it [23] [34].

Long before corporations discovered the internet for business, online pioneers used internet platforms for deliberation and participation around issues of public interest and local decision-making. The online community networks of the early 1990s featured the following characteristics [32]:

• Community of interest – participants are motivated by common goals, so participants have a stake in the process.


• Reciprocal interaction – content is created by a large number of contributors, thereby decentralizing publishing.


• Equal access – large numbers of participants are able to participate, thus lowering barriers of entry.


• Modifiable platforms – users to design or co-design interfaces or services, thus increasing personalization.

How much progress has been made since the early 90s of the last century? Where are the ICT-tools “heralding a new era for democracy” [4, p.40]?

REFERENCES PDF: Top-level decisions through public deliberation on the internet: Evidence from the evolution of Java governance

ePractice Library

Implementation and Management Approach

The approach chosen for the present case employs a novel methodology developed around discourse tracking known from media and communications studies and digital ethnography (data collection via digital "footprints").

Technology solution

The novel methodology introduced and proven in a doctoral research project combines existing quantitative and qualitative approaches with a specifically developed database tool to track and code internet-retrieved content.

Impact

a) feeds into existing approaches for modelling and retrieving internet-based content; b) currently at completion stage, c) dissemination of results via conferences and peer-reviewed journals; d) novel methodology combines existing technologies with a specifically developed database tool to track and code internet-retrieved content; e) replication to other areas of internet-enabled collective problem-solving processes f) currently at completion stage g) cooperation targeted to other relevant initiatives h) partnerships being developed with other relevant initiatives

Track record of sharing

Dissemination of results occurs via conferences and peer-reviewed journals as well as research comunity websites.

Lessons learnt

The research presented here investigated whether internet-enabled public deliberation has an impact on top-level decision-making and whether there are discernible patterns or mechanisms by which this occurs. The analysis identified a comprehensive overlap between content of prominent themes and of top-level decisions suggesting that online deliberation had a direct impact on top-level decision-making. Analysis further presented comprehensive evidence that, except for direct participation in decision-making, all of the design and process parameters were evident. In particular, the present research provides evidence that problem-solving characterized by

1. self-selection of participants and multiple opposing views,


2. mutual adjustment between positions, and


3. high influence combined with incremental decision-making

at least approximates the best possible outcome.

A direct impact of public deliberation on decision-making was observable, but that impact depended on top-level decision-makers incorporating the inputs. This carries important corollaries for government initiatives on internet-enabled consultation and participation. First, the present study suggests that online political engagement is not only popular but that it also accomplishes tangible results. It thus confirms other findings suggesting that the internet in general – as a public sphere – provides incentives for political engagement [19]. But political engagement occurs across the internet, not necessarily on government websites. Second, the present study suggests that if top-level decision-makers listen to and engage with constituents on an equal level, as the executives of global corporations did, lasting and optimal decision outcomes can be reached.

In the present case, deliberation and mobilization not only had an indirect impact on top-level decision-making by shaping the agenda and mounting supporting pressure. Even more importantly, internet-enabled deliberation and mobilization led to the adoption of a participatory and community-led governance approach.