Democracy and the new technologies

DEMOCRACY AND THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Technical transformations in the processing and communication of information have not only been viewed as the means for economic regeneration (for example eradicating poverty with cheap food and green consumables) but also as “vehicles of a new and more democratic social and political relationship”. This article discusses the technologies and their transformations, how these affect democracy, and the relationship between information and power.

Before one can say whether the existence of these transformations and technologies will create a better democracy, their capabilities need to be examined, which essentially dictate the democratic possibilities.

The technologies that he discusses are the personal computer, and the transformation in the telecommunications (e.g. fax machines, cable TV and especially the Internet.)

The PC has moved from a ‘heavy information industry’ to a ‘consumer item’. People everywhere have access ...