Technology can be used to strengthen the gains of democratic governance and politics but it is also possible to use the same for destruction. Digital media has seen a lot of advancement over the recent past and internet penetration is now almost everywhere in all the four corners of the world. Cable networks are sprouting every day and freelance journalists are penning down opinions on global governance and political issues with a very wide coverage through online platforms. These opinions shape the way people think and view politics and governance. Some of them are true while others are false but all the same they sway the masses in different directions. Bureaucracies and powers are bending technology to suit their needs while those for integrity, accountability and transparency are rising to ask the hard questions to the political class and the government. The revolution of digital democracy has huge impacts on how governments run their activities and how politics is played globally.
The rise of digital democratic revolution means that so many things that the government does is available through digital platforms thanks to technology. Digital media allows for a greater means to communication thus making information flow easier just at the click of a button. When people are in control and possess information, they gain the ability to demarcate those who control or influence the political system and tentatively governance. Freedom of information is a key principle when it comes to democracy and so when the government is transparent and the masses can access information democracy advances. Governments have continued to be open in the digital age and in the process most of the political and governance work have either been shot down or received support due to this transparency (Zavattaro & Bryer 2016). Transparency thus gives room for accountability and the activists as well as those who are acting as watchdogs on government projects are able to track and see the situation of various projects as they progress unlike in the past where people had to wait for government reports to verify the progress of projects. Anything that the government does, money they spend be it in projects or allowances are tracked easily. The political class also have it rough thanks to transparency arising from digital media as people are able to follow up on their promises and see to it that they fulfill the same upon being elected. Party manifestos are now found on the various online platforms and just in case a party is advancing something that is contrary to their manifesto, the citizens have been quick thanks to digital media to seek clarification. Transparency therefore in this case becomes a power reducing mechanism used by the people in the digital era.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
However, it is important to take note of the people that are made transparent. If the government is becoming transparent, citizens will be empowered but if it is the citizens who are made transparent, then there is a problem because the government and the political class will continue to take advantage of the people. It is thus important to appreciate the transparency that comes with the democratic digital revolution but at the same time be keen to ensure that it is not the political class and the government using technology to make the citizens transparent as they engage in corrupt dealings.
Governments are forced to deliver to the electorates thanks to digital democratic revolutions across the globe. Lobby groups and activists are able to create digital platforms and contents to ask the progress of various projects that the political class and governments are undertaking and how their lives have been impacted. Several government processes and procedures are now automated and the citizens are able to easily follow from digital platforms. In fact, citizens are now able to seek for policy changes through the digital platforms and the same are able to see the light of day because of digital democratic revolution. Several online petitions have led to changes in the way governments deliver their services to the masses across the globe. Many citizens are now fully aware of what the government ought to do and what their roles are in the governance of their countries. This has ensured that service delivery is not slowed down by lazy civil servants or is corrupted by the servants who seek bribes to deliver on their duties. The exposure of such corrupt officials through social media and other digital media platforms has seen enhancement of efficiency in service delivery in the public sector much to the benefit of the citizens.
The reduction in time when it comes to making long queues in government installations counts as an improved service delivery to the citizens. This means that citizens who come from far-flung places are able to access services through an e-platform and thus not only save time but also saves on other costs such as transportation. The interactive nature of the digital revolution means that when a citizen is not satisfied with the services, the citizen is at liberty to seek redress on the matter and being that many people are techno-savvy and can see the complaints, any issues raised will be addressed by the political class and those in government (Zavattaro & Bryer 2016). This improves service delivery not just in main government cities but all across the cities in any given country.
In the year 2000, Ralph Nader, the Green Party candidate in the United States presidential elections realizing that he could not win the presidency resorted to vote swapping. The campaign team came up with a strategy to have his national vote percentage increase. This would increase the chances of the Green Party receiving the matching funds come the next general election. The voters of Al Gore were thus through the internet encouraged to trade their votes with those of Nader in largely Democratic Party dominated states like Massachusetts. Ultimately, just through the web, 15,000 votes were swapped and Nader became a huge name on the national political sphere in America (Stromer-Galley 2019). The visibility of the third party in the national elections was obvious thanks to the digital democratic revolution.
Alternative political views also get to become influential thanks to the digital revolution. During the protests that marred Seattle in 2000 against the World Trade Organization, independent media centers came up. Indymedia.org was just clearing house for the protesters’ publications (Rhoads 2000). They would post individual reports, photographs, videos, and other stuff using the platform. The protesters linked their documentaries to other satellites around the country which had access to public stations. Soon they had a radio station through the website, a newspap0er and a full time website where they could reach millions of supporters and other like-minded people. What began as a simple protest today has become a self-sustaining organization run by volunteers serving outposts not only in America but even in countries like Canada, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. The organization has a huge influence on global matters thanks to the revolution of digital democracy.
Conclusion
The rise of digital democratic revolution in politics and governance has had huge impacts on the way things run in the world. Governments have had to change their modes of operations by becoming more interactive and responsive to the needs of their people. Many people are able to track government questions and ask questions when need be as well as petition the political class to stop projects which are against the development requirements of the citizens. This has seen transparency improve and thus empowering the citizens in the process. Service delivery has also improved thanks to technology and digital media as people can easily access services without having to visit government facilities and installations. This saves time and other related resources on the side of not only the citizens but also the government. Digital democratic revolution has seen many become visible, as was the case with vote swapping done by the Green Party candidate in the 2000 elections making him a big name in the elections. Influence also comes with the digital democratic revolution as simple ideas develop into global ideas that impact nations such as the story of Indynedia.org which today is a global organization born outside a small tactical response to a protest.
References
Fominaya, C. F. (2014). Social Movements and Globalization: How Protests, Occupations and Uprisings are Changing the World . Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Stromer-Galley, J. (2019). Presidential campaigning in the internet age . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Zavattaro, S. M., & Bryer, T. A. (2016). Social Media for Government: Theory and Practice . New York, NY: Routledge.
