Participation and National Identity Building through Arab State Electronic Portals

This study explores the role of Arab government portals in expressing the state’s construction of national identity and enhancing the platforms and tools of e-participation; including e-information, e-consultation, and e-decision making. The study analyzes 22 portals to explore the types of information and participation depending on a measurement consisting of 58 elements, and to monitor the portals’ ability to express the state’s construction of national identity and to urge citizens to participate in the government decision-making processes. The study results indicate that there are differences among Arab government portals in expressing both national identity visual and informative elements, and also in providing interactive tools for users to give them the opportunity to participate in consulting and decision-making processes. The study confirms that sustainable government communication is achieved through the integration of the above elements. The portals of United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and Morocco are the most advanced portals in reflecting state identity by placing emphasis on history, culture, economy, political system, achievements, and life style. The study recommends the development and encouragement of e-participation on Arab government portals, instead of just providing information

Aesthetics · Arabic · Art · Linguistics · Media studies · National identity · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Computer Science · Gender Studies · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Law · Public Administration · Socioeconomic Development in MENA