Internet is becoming a tool of democracy
Internet is becoming a tool of democracy
Internet is playing an important part in all areas of life. It is used by people to gather information. In the General Elections too it is playing an important role for both the groups’ i.e. the common man and the politicians. Internet is becoming a medium through which the citizens can keep their point of view in front of the government. Do you believe Internet is an effective tool of democracy?
Yes
• It is possible to promote the social messages and important information through the internet. It is not confined to the regional boundaries.
• Politicians can use the internet to communicate with the people. They can also form an event or can launch a movement on internet.
• People can use the different government websites to put their problems. They can create a mass complaint of the problems are not solved.
• Internet allows people to connect with the outer world. The problem that is a part of one country can be solved by the combined efforts of other participants.
No
• People can spread the information but then it is the government who stays a watch dog over certain matters.
• Many a times certain movements are not allowed to boom. They are stopped even before they take the initial step of the process.
• The government websites can be used to launch the complaints but then again the system is slow and unresponsive.
• Politicians just make use of the internet for their own benefits. They don’t use it to work for the welfare of people.
• In India, the use of internet has increased but still majority of people don’t have the access to the internet.
Conclusion
The impact of internet in decision making is increasing. But still it is at the initial level. A country where illiteracy rate is high, there the chances of implementing democracy through internet will take a long time to become a reality.
Discussion
- RE: Internet is becoming a tool of democracy -Krishna Shrivastava (04/25/14)
- Internet is the biggest resource to share and access the information through out the world. Basically from the beginning of 21st century, a term was initailized e-Democracy, which describes the involvement of Internet in government activities, where people can view the schemes launched by government in details, and we are well aware with government's rules and regulation
So dear friends now lets discuss on merits and demerits of implementation of internet in democratic environment.
Merits:
1. Use of Internet in goverment's activities makes better transparency between public and government.
2. Schemes ans plans executed and launched by govt. on Web probides better understandability to people.
3. People can make interaction with individual department of govt. to visualize their thoughts and problems.
4. Online survey reflects the opinion of public and this is the powerful advantage of e-democracy.
5. Social media sites support networks of people, online networks are currently significantly affecting the political process. Pressures from these networks are causing an increase in politicians' efforts to appeal to the public in campaigns.
6. Politician may find the Internet an easier mechanism to increase awareness of their issues, as compared to traditional media outlets, such as television or newspapers, which require heavy financial investment.
Demerits:
1. Country like India where maximum population belongs to rular areas are still not aware and access to Internet due to illiteracy and means of communication.
2. Our Politicians are not well educated and not interested to resolve the issues of people,they use them only as a vote bank and their sympathy for public only during the election, hence public complaints during their ruling periods are not executed well.
3. Politicians do not provide relevant and accurate information about their agenda.
4. Some information that should be available on the Internet, is still not available to people, and hence it violets the rule of internet democracy.
- RE: Internet is becoming a tool of democracy -Deepa Kaushik (04/24/14)
- The statement needs a small amendment, as I feel. “The Internet can become a tool of democracy”; however, it is still not used in the same manner. Internet has a widespread effect, not only within country but across the world. It is good means of communication that can be effectively used for interaction between government and the general public.
Special websites can be designed to lodge complaints which could be handled effectively by creating a special team to overlook and respond to the person concerned immediately. The websites today are more of mechanical, with utter slow systems often taking long hours to log in to the system.
We need to use this best source as a key tool to propagate the democracy across the country. The virtues of social well-being can be spread in a faster means through Internet. Internet can be used to get connected with people, not just with respect to complaints, but also suggestions, majority demand, any unsatisfaction prevailing with the government, or any good feedbacks in favour of the policies and bill passed.
A majority vote can be taken before passing the bill in the houses of the parliament, as the governance is meant for the people, by the people and of the people in democracy. Everything is at our hand’s reach; we just need to extend our folded hands to get the desired thing.
