E-Participation Models

Abstract

Participation is the cornerstone of our governance process and has manifested in a variety of constructs since the inception of our government. As public agencies and political leaders discover the possibilities offered by technological mediums, the question becomes, what kind of participation should we be fostering and what do we hope to gain through participative processes? The opportunities to enhance our understanding and approach to democracy have grown tremendously in the past decade. Through technological means, more individuals can gain access to public dialogue and discourse. Given the nature of recent technological opportunities, public leaders are considering the possibilities of e-governance and within that framework, e-participation. This chapter provides a definition and discussion of three e-participation models: information exchange, general discourse, and deliberation. In addition, the chapter will address the issues, characterizations, and criteria that are closely related to the development of electronic participation in the governance process.