Internet and Democracy – More Democracy Through the Net?

November 2003, Dr. Werner T. Bauer, 15 Pages

How much does the Internet change politics? Does it improve the information and participation of citizens and thus democracy? Experiences and the technological state of the art until now show the following picture: the Internet is egalitarian and not hierarchical. It is independent of time and space. It is fast and unfiltered. In contrast to traditional mass media, which increases the tendency to passivity, the Internet can increase participation. But, the Internet also deepens social segmentation. With increasing information, disinformation grows and the Internet is a primarily privatised and individualised form of communication. It allows simple and quick votes, at least on a small scale, and it can be a medium for shaping political opinion and influencing the decision-making process. It offers better information management and allows for more connectedness between the administration and the citizens. However, it is not a place for democratic and political decisions (such as Internet elections). The technological security of, for example, casting a vote, is not enough and will probably not be for quite some time.

zur Studie (pdf)