Foundation for Citizen-Oriented E-Governance Models

Abstract

The present knowledge era needs new democratic practices. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) has been considered the potential tool for rethinking democracy and political action. Working with research and development (R&D) on this potential means whole new sets of concepts, and practical solutions need to be innovated. This article describes and compares several new ICT-aided models—tested, in use, or under research—that emphasize citizens’ needs as the fundamental approach to societal decision making and that regard citizens as collaborative decision makers. The new citizen-oriented approach is fundamentally transformative and calls for new innovative approaches in order to employ ICT for governance and empowerment of citizens. E-governance is considered to be an integrative concept for governance and democracy, while the focus of this article is on e-democracy.