{"id":4983,"date":"2017-05-10T11:46:07","date_gmt":"2017-05-10T09:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/blog\/?p=4983"},"modified":"2021-04-23T17:22:57","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T15:22:57","slug":"digital-participation-advantages-disadvantages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/blog\/en\/digital-democracy\/digital-participation-advantages-disadvantages","title":{"rendered":"Digital Participation – the Advantages and Disadvantages"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the previous installments of this series, we have covered some of the different forms of digital participation. Today we will be assessing the overall benefits and drawbacks of participating in a digital world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Advantages of Digital Participation<\/h3>\n

The main goal of online democracy is the strengthened integration of citizens in the political debate. Internet connectivity enables more people to participate in many discussions that may have been previously localized or too high-brow. The digitalization of participation is aimed at increasing the transparency and legitimacy of our political systems through democratic engagement.<\/p>\n

E-Government enables the more efficient management processes<\/h3>\n

The aim of E-Government is both the efficient running of government and the promotion transparency. This is achieved by the digitalization of services and processes and the increased use and publication of government data. Where more data is available to the public and other government departments, there is more accountability. This can range from filling out taxes online, registering to vote to the publication of national trade statistics and department budgets. \u00a0The idea is, as more services are digitalized, the demand for a digitalized government grows. This\u00a0should lead to a faster and more efficient governance.<\/p>\n

E-Participation\u00a0Strengthens the Political Debate<\/h3>\n

E-Participation aims to enable a more advanced political debate through digitalization. The main methods are sites where citizens can address and solve issues but also, forums or sites where citizens can raise concerns with the government directly. The best example of the latter is the Petitions website in the United Kingdom<\/a>.<\/span> Here any citizen may create or support a petition. Any petition that gets above a certain number of signatures must be responded by the UK parliament. Politicians and civil servants are, in this way, able to track and tackle the most important topics – stoking the flames of political engagement.<\/p>\n

Despite a global pandemic, the\u00a0CDU\u00a0<\/strong>elected its new chairman Armin Laschet at an online party conference with POLYAS. Read more ><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

E-Voting\u00a0Increases Participation<\/h3>\n

Digital participation is unlikely to lead anywhere without the ability to easily vote on topics. For citizens to be more active in participating in government, there needs to be the ability to engage directly and more frequently. Online voting is the only realistic method with which citizens could consistently and easily participate. Online voting for companies, unions, cooperatives and professional associations have consistently received higher voter turnout for their respective elections. Learn more about online voting for your institution.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>When online voting is introduced for political elections, it will be combined with traditional voting procedures. Postal voting provides the best comparison for online elections, but online is safer, more efficient, much faster and far better for the environment. Indeed, voting online has shown to have saved up to 70% of the costs of traditional voting methods owing to reduced shipping, printing, and material costs. In terms of digital participation, however, the increased turnout will boost the legitimacy of any government and help strengthen modern democracy.<\/p>\n

You want to experience the advantages of online voting? <\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

Get to know the <\/a>POLYAS Online Voting Manager!<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

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The Disadvantages of Digital Participation<\/h3>\n

Make no mistake, there are downsides to digital participation. While the benefits to outweigh the disadvantages there is the need to minimize any issues with digitalization. Only by constant innovation and investment can E-participation progress.<\/p>\n