January 2003 / No. 21

Science & Technology

Digital Democracy

Dr. Hadi Khaniki, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Faculty Member of Allameh Tabatabaiee University’s Department of Communication

Studying the conditions in which “networked societies” emerge, enables us to discover how information and communication technologies broadly and profoundly effect relationships in and between societies. These societies can be either geographical or virtual, with common goals and interests. It is appropriate to metaphorically identify these societies as a network, as they are characterized by features such as connection and communication, tolerance and trust, dialogue and understanding.

One cannot simply ignore the relationship between the “communications era” and the “dialogue era” or between the “information revolution” and the emergence of an “information civilization”. The “shortening of distances” at every level has had the most influential impact on this era, as today the information that was once only accessible by a limited few, is cheaply and quickly accessible worldwide, resulting in the quick spread of ideas and opinions through all barriers and borders.

This technological revolution has brought about new ideals, which have overshadowed all schools of thought, bringing about a “networked society” in which forgotten or marginalized identities are revitalized. Through this process, cultural goods have gained ascendancy over material goods. Thus, this revolution, which is far more effectual than the industrial revolution, has created rifts and gaps in society, culture and economics.

The new system implemented by the revolution has several characterizing features: first, its raw material is information. Second, it engulfs all aspects of human’s private and social life. Third, it aspires to networking and the creation of complex relationships. Fourth, it is flexible and supports minor reforms as well as fundamental structural change. Fifth, it facilitates the convergence of specialized technologies.

The utilization of multimedia capabilities (visual and audio effects supplementing information) and real-time streaming over the World Wide Web have fundamentally altered the face of communication. In a “networked society”, users are no longer a passive audience of information, rather they are interactive participants. Thus, this new media can no longer be termed “mass media” in the traditional sense, as it no longer communicates a single message to a massive audience.

Globalization now allows you to sit in your electronic hut and be connected to the rest of your global village. In a digital world all achievements and production is pooled, creating a virtual culture overriding all realities. One of the most important features of an “information society” is the conception of a special type of democracy. This democracy, dubbed “digital democracy”, has significantly influenced many other types of democracies. “Digital democracies” use ICT to establish “people parliaments” and “public juries”, by means of which, normal citizens have direct decision-making power.

“Digital democracies” are facilitated by “interactive media” which has the following features:

Interactivity: users must be connected and able to communicate with countless other users.

World Wide Web: the borders of nation-states should be no barrier to communication.

Freedom of Expression: users must be free to express their views and opinions without fear of censorship.

Freedom of Association: users should be able to become members of virtual groups and communities of their choosing.

Information Production and Publication: users should be able to create information without the need for its official certification or approval. Furthermore, users must be able to challenge official and professional findings.

Undermine the Role of Nation-states: users must be allowed to assume local and global identities.

Thus it can be seen, that democracy isn’t merely voting and raising public awareness and so providing for electronic voting and information booths does not make you a “digital democracy”. The core principles of democracy are a right to self-determination, a right to an opinion and participation; thus, democracy is a political-culture centered on public expression.