Digital Democracy

Madisonian majorities could be best applied to a democracy, because both the majority and minority can work together to satisfy the needs of its citizens. Madisonian Majorities helped shape countless laws that many Americans benefit from today, including the architecture of our government. Therefore, Madisonian Majorities are vital to a democratic society. Madisonian Majorities have played a crucial role in our government in the past. After the American Revolution, our founding fathers were indecisive about how to run our newly found nation.

He gave ideas, but smarter people improved them or showed him why he was incorrect. There was much to be learned on the Internet believed Katz. He discovered the net could be the tool to bring about change in the political arena and even our culture. The net offers individuals the ability and freedom to voice their opinions; yet it is a distinct group of young people who are taking the opportunity to interact with one another creating a new political ideology (217). Katz believes these individuals are utilizing the Stomel 2 Internet to produce their own political entity.

Politicians are always looking for ways to connect with the electorate. The rise of the internet not only allows for distribution of campaign ideas but new ways of voter feedback that was previously unavailable including online fund-raising, and voter mobilization. The internet has the ability to shape the political landscape. The internet was first used to a limited extent during the 1992 election by the Clinton campaign using email, bulletin boards and discussion groups(Wagner, & Gainous, 2009). “The discussion group 'alt.politics.Clinton' received approximately 800 postings a day at the height of the campaign”(Wagner, & Gainous, 2009).

“Simply put, our goal is to make your government more accessible to all Americans.” -President George W. Bush, March 2002 Thesis Although E-rulemaking has its flaws, it nevertheless warrants a try because it will help to legitimize democracy. E-rulemaking promotes the legitimization of democracy by lowering information costs, increasing public participation, and improving deliberation and communication between different members of society. Until recently, information technology has been serving an ancillary role to democracy. The word “democracy” is defined as “government by the people, either directly or through representatives.” With the advent of E-rulemaking, however, the playing field for democracy has been irrevocably altered. A marriage has thus been formed between information technology and the very concept of democracy.

The most current definition of a democracy is defined as a “government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.”(Dictionary.com). The American democracy was greatly influenced by the Athenian democracy. The Founding Fathers of the American democracy borrowed ideas from the Athenian way of governing. Presently, Americans live in a democracy that is much different than that the Athenian democracy, and what the Founding Fathers of the American Democracy envisioned. Although there are some commonalities between Athens and what our Founding Fathers intended, there are major differences as well.

Athenian did so many legacies for the new generation or for today. For example, by their democracy and by architecture. That means we used democracy, but the base of democracy was Athens. Pericles started a democracy which was called direct democracy, that was the people vote or doing something directly, but when we see the present time we used representative democracy, that is the people choose their representative to do what the people want. so we learned that democracy is the reflection of Athens.

Such kind of tweet enables citizens to know more about Cameron and potentially wins Beckham’s fan’s supports even though they did not vote for Cameron previously. To conclude, Internet serves as a new platform for politicians to do political advertising and circulates abundant and positive information to prevent slanderous competition and corruption.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In the Digital Age, information about candidates and political parties is now more spontaneous and accessible to the electorate. This has been further magnified by technological developments that made possible the immediate transmittal and multiple distribution of any type of information particularly through the internet (Terranova 2004). This phenomenon in the information age creates a knowledge-based and informed electorate making it easier for voter’s to understand candidates and a candidate's job to inform voters easier as well. Mobilization is also an integral ingredient in winning elections. Candidates in recent elections have extensively utilized the internet to rally their cause, not only aimed to protect their strongly affiliated voters but also to fortify their hold on vulnerable voters as well as to attract the undecided voters.

This is a valid argument, but it remains unseen as to whether or not professional journalism is threatened due to the Internet being a popular source of news. It appears that journalism is in a transition period from one media format to another. Many newspapers and television news channels are making the shift to online publication. One would think it logical that there will be more opportuniti... ... middle of paper ... ...ternet is a threat to democracy, but radio and television allow people this type of choice as well. Others state that the free flow of ideas and ease of communication that the Internet provides are essential for a democracy to thrive.

Abstract:  More and more Americans are tapping into the Internet in their search for convenience and expedience. One service that offers both of these values, and more, is online voting. However, it is not as simple as point and click. Studies show an inequality in the ability to access the Internet across socioeconomic class and race. This Digital Divide is a major concern in the development of an online voting system, and authors of this new technology must take care not to let these existing inequalities compromise democracy.