HYPERDEMOCRACY
The current issue of Government Technology: Solutions for
State and Local Governments in the Information Age (May 1996 -
V9 N5) has as its lead article "The Cyberspace Constituency."
The article by Blake Harris is provocative and interesting in
its review and analysis of political use of the Internet. As
Harris quotes widely in his article, here are a few thoughts
from it:
David Ronfeldt of the Rand Corp cites political scientist
Richard Neustadt, writing in the early 80's:
A wave of new technology will transform
campaigning, political organizing, news coverage,
lobbying, and voting. Some of these changes may
make campaigning less costly and bring decision-
making closer to the people. But the greatest
impact may be to fragment out politics, narrowing
people's perspectives, shifting more power into
special interest groups and weakening he glue that
holds the system together.
Election '96 is expected to see the first widespread Internet
use by politicians, especially via Websites. As WATPA begins
to consider offering politicians/political organizations
websites it may help to keep in mind that, according Harris
source Kim Gragson, a grad student at Indiana University,
(Campaign 96,
URL:http://www.nptn.org:80/cyber.serv/tdp/campaign96/) "most
politicians consider the web as just another standard
advertising medium instead of looking at the feedback
potential...the same standard stuff goes out - press releases
and speeches. Very few even have a site where you can send
back email."
The article continues and notes that "politicians are actually
wary of a public email address because they are inviting a
deluge of email." This can be particularly scary when one
realizes that the typical Internet user is more likely to
vote, more sophisticated, and a little more aware of the
issues.
Stressing that politicians haven't yet really learned to use
this new medium, an opportunity exists for WATPA to educate as
well as provide a place for politicians to occupy in
Cyberspace. In what ever ground rules are established for
inclusion on PathMaster(TM) it will behoove WATPA to assure
that provision is made for two-way communication with
politicians and public forums are provided for political
discussion. I think those seeking political office, and
seeking to use the Internet as part of their campaign should
understand not only the perceived benefits of reaching the
"wired" community, but also understand that for their site to
be meaningful, they must accept the risk of flames and hard
questions about their positions.
Political space on PathMaster should not be available to
political entities that fail to understand and accept these
risks. From the League of Women Voters sites that I have
browsed, politicians have ample space to unilaterally state
their positions, and provide self-serving information.
PathMaster(TM) should be different.
Bill Langham
PS: For an even more skeptical take on Hyperdemocracy, check
out the Center for Responsive Politics at Mother Jones
Interactive, URL:http://www.mojones.com. This site contains
data on financial contributions, assets and Congressionl
trips.