E-Democracy
On this and most weeks, each student will present their topical reading, with handouts for the class, and the instructor will present a lecture based on recent developments since publication of the texts. Make sure the handout provides a full bibliographical citation for your reading.
E-Democracy
E-activism
E-campaigning
E-voting
E-legislating
E-civics
E-participation
Summary
Discussion Questions for Garson, Chapter 3
1. E democracy can be described as a sphere with six layers. The outer layer, e activism, affects the political environment of an agency. How do the other five layers affect public managers?
2. The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of the community computing movement "empowering the powerless." What has happened to the community computing movement as technology has improved? Have aspects of the community computing been replaced by others?
3. What strategies would a proactive public manager take in an environment of increasing e activism? What do you think the results of these strategies would be?
4. Argue both sides of the e campaigning issue that a.) e campaigning strengthens democratic ideals and b.) e campaigning furthers the disengagement of citizens. Consider both immediate and long term effects of the e campaigning strategies listed in the text.
5. The author gives examples of indirect support for e campaigning evidenced on many federal web pages to further the position of the incumbent president. Can you find your own similar examples on the web at the federal level? At the state or local level?
6. E Voting seems to be in the near future for the U.S. What are the benefits and the risks associated with e voting? If all technological impediments were removed, how do you think e voting would effect the voting habits of the public? Would it advantage one political party more than another?
7. What e legislation steps have been greatly utilized so far by the federal government? What eists in your state?
8. E-civics has been evolving fairly rapidly over the last fifteen years. What are some of the major developments? What are some of the benefits for both the public and the government?
9. Why is transparency necessary for successful e participation? The text cites a government agency for the definition of "transparency." One very important condition has been omitted. What is that final condition? What could happen if it continued to be neglected?
10. What is Regulations.gov? What was the motivation for creating it? Has it been perfected? Go to this website and assess its citizen-friendliness as an instrument of e-democracy.
Discussion Questions for Rocheleau, Chapter 1
- What four proposition about public-private sector differences does Rocheleau analyze?
- What data are used to investigate these propositions?
- What were the findings?
- What reasons does Rocheleau give for the findings?