Reference - https://www3.secure.griffith.edu.au/03/toolbox/.

Description

Electronic democracy seeks to embrace existing and emergent media sources as a forum for allowing members of the public to express opinions and seek to influence decision-making within their community. Media sources that may be used for the processes of democracy include television and radio, but the internet is the main way that electronic democracy can be seen in action. While electronic democracy is more an ideal than a reality, electronic democracy is generally discussed in theoretical terms, participation using the web through email, on-line voting and access to information on web sites are widely used participatory tools. People can use email or web sites to register their opinions on proposed developments, on environmental impact statements, and so on. Television and radio stations can set up websites that record listener voting on issues, or to register what are the major community issues for a particular demographic of the community. These findings can then be reported as a measure of community attitudes and issues. Community groups can also develop electronic democracy projects using commercial or not-for-profit on-line servers to develop the technical information infrastructure needed to set up web pages, email list administration, etc.

Objectives

Electronic democracy aims to engage more members of the public in expressing their opinions on a website, via email, or through other electronic communications options, in order to influence planning and decision-making. (

Outcomes

Electronic democracy has increased the number and variety of people who exercise their democratic rights through comments sent to decision-making bodies with regard to proposals and issues.

Uses/Strengths

Creates a virtual public space where people can interact, discuss issues and share ideas.
Allows citizens to participate at their own convenience.
Can reach a potentially large audience readily.
Facilitates interactive communication.
Costs little to set up.
Disseminates large amounts of information effectively and without distortion.

Special Considerations/Weaknesses

May exclude participation by those not on-line.
Results can be manipulated therefore results of polls should be carefully considered.
Needs a core group of dedicated volunteers (5 to 15 depending on the scope and scale of activities).
People can become disillusioned if the project is 'over-hyped'. Keep expectations realistic.
Encouraging electronic conferencing among participants in an interactive forum ensures that the project moves beyond broadcast to build an on-line, participatory open space.
Email lists with many active subscribers generate so much information that they drive people away.

Resources Required

Commercial and not-for-profit online service providers
Public library on-line facilities
Private on-line facilities, including Internet
Volunteers with technical knowledge and understanding

Can Be Used For

Showcase product, plan, policy
Engage community
Discover community issues
Develop community capacity
Communicate an issue

Number of people required to help organise

Large
Medium
Small

Audience Size

Large

Time Required

Medium-term
Short-term

Skill Level/Support Required

Low
Cost:
High
Medium

Participation Level

Medium
Low

Innovation Level

High

Method

Set up a core group of participants interested in developing e-democracy, seeking people with a diverse mix of skills and experience.
Explore and use existing opportunities for contributing individual and group opinions on, or information about, specific issues including feedback on websites, on-line dialogues etc. 
Develop a clear and concise mission or purpose statement to form the basis of public interest and awareness through wide distribution. 
Provide details of subscribe/unsubscribe procedures.
Include new email contact details in your public email lists so that you can report up-to-date information those who've registered an interest, and also invite them to add their signatures to submissions, alternate proposals, etcetera.
Set up your own on-line dialogue through your website. Counting the number of people who visit the site can provide useful data for authorities who need to know how many people are concerned, or what kinds of issues are of concern to the community.
Investigate whether government news groups offer newsgroup space for local electronic democracy projects. Newsgroups provide the core of information exchange and global topical discussions.
.Don't forget to let the traditional media know about your e-democracy project. An article in the news (radio, television or print) will let people know of your project and its address.

References

Cabinet Office. (2002) In the Service of Democracy. http://www.edemocracy.gov.uk [accessed 3 Jan 2002].
COSLA. (1998). Focusing on Citizens: A Guide to Approaches and Methods. Available at: http://www.communityplanning.org.uk/documents/Engagingcommunitiesmethods.pdf [accessed 3 Jan 2002].
Democracy 2000. (2002). The Civic Engagement Project. http://www.democracy2000.org/civicengage.htm [accessed 3 Jan 2002]X
IPPR. 2002. E-participation. http://www.ippr.org.uk/home/index.php?table=projects&id=80 [accessed 3 Jan 2002].
Northwest Regional Facilitators. (1999). Public Participation Resource Guide September, Chapter One Public Participation Methods & Techniques. http://www.nrf.org/cpguide/index.html#tablecontents [accessed 20 Dec 2002].
Rheingold, Howard (2000) Electronic Democracy Toolkit, excerpt from The Third Millenium Whole Earth Catalogue, Harper, San Francisco. www.well.com/user/hlr/electrondemoc.html
University of Kansas.(2002) Community Toolbox. Ways to develop Communication Plans (includes details on websites etc.) http://ctb.lsi.ukans.edu/tools/EN/chapter_1005.htm [accessed 20 Dec 2002].