Explaining eDemocracy development

A quantitative empirical study

Bibliographic Data

ID6149576
AuthorsPaul Van Der Graft (University of Twente), Jörgen Svensson (University of Twente, School of Business, Public Administration and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 53 4894551; E-mail: [email protected]), Jörgen S Svensson (University of Twente)
Year2006
Volume11
Issue2
Pages123-134
Publication date2006-10-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInformation Polity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1875-8754 • E-ISSN: 1570-1255
PublisherIOS Press (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.3233/ip-2006-0092
OpenAlexW16502945
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited6

The term eDemocracy refers to the usage of information and communication technology in the democratic process. This usage can vary in form and extent. This paper distinguishes three types of explanations for this variation: explanations based on the suggestion of objective rationalisation, explanations based on political evaluation and discretion and explanations based on the assumption that technology itself is a driving force of institutional change. Taking the case of eDemocracy development in Dutch municipalities, these three types of explanation are subjected to an empirical test. A quantitative analysis leads to the conclusion that the perspective of technology as driving force behind eDemocracy finds most support, and that the rationalisation perspective has some merits as well. There is no evidence, however, that differential political traditions play any significant role in the development of local eDemocracy in the Netherlands

Computer Science · E-Government and Public Services · Public Policy and Administration Research · Social Media and Politics