Digital Democracy and Internet Freedom

Introduction to E-Democracy

E-democracy, also known as digital democracy or Internet democracy, incorporates 21st-century information and communications technology to promote democracy. It is a form of government in which all adult citizens are presumed to be eligible to participate equally in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. E-democracy encompasses social, economic, and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.

Digital Democracy and Internet Freedom

A speech given by Hillary Clinton on January 21, 2010, addressed the issue of internet freedom and the role that new technologies have played in shaping democratic practices. The spread of free information through the internet has encouraged freedom and human development (Clinton, 2010). The internet is used for promoting human rights, including free speech, religious expression, peaceful assembly, government accountability, and the right to knowledge and understanding. These rights support democracy and empower individuals globally.

Clinton supports the "freedom to connect," the idea that governments should not prevent people from connecting to the internet, to websites, or to each other. The freedom to connect is akin to the freedom of assembly, only in cyberspace. It allows individuals to get online, come together, and hopefully cooperate. Once you're on the internet, you don't need to be a tycoon or a rock star to have a huge impact on society. The Internet has several attributes that encourage thinking about it as a democratic medium. The lack of centralized control makes censorship difficult, thereby promoting a more open exchange of ideas.

There are other parallels in the social design in the early days of the internet, such as the strongly libertarian support for free speech, the sharing culture that permeated nearly all aspects of Internet use, and the outright prohibition on commercial use by the National Science Foundation (NSF, 1993). Another example is the unmediated mass communication on the internet, such as through newsgroups, chat rooms, and MUDs. This communication ignored the boundaries established with broadcast media, such as newspapers or radio, and with one-to-one media, such as letters or landline telephones.

Finally, because the Internet is a massive digital network with open standards, universal and inexpensive access to a wide variety of communication media and models could actually be attained, potentially leading to greater inclusivity and diversity of voices in democratic processes.

Practical and Systemic Issues in E-Democracy

Some practical issues involving e-democracy include effective participation, voting equality at the decision stage, enlightened understanding, control of the agenda, and inclusiveness (Dahl, 1989). Systemic issues may include cyber-security concerns and protection of sensitive data from third parties. As e-democracy continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensuring that it serves as a robust tool for democratic engagement and not just an extension of existing inequities.

References

• Clinton, H. (2010, January 21). Remarks on Internet Freedom. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved from https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2010/01/135519.htm
• Dahl, R. A. (1989). Democracy and its Critics. Yale University Press.
• National Science Foundation (NSF). (1993). NSFNET: A Partnership for High-Speed Networking. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/about/history/nsf0050/internet/launch.htm