Friday, February 18, 2005
On-line and wired
The academics have struck again, this time with a public opinion survey of British citizens' use of the Internet and political representation. The results can be found here but their main conclusions are:
- The numbers accessing and contacting parliament and MPs online are small and are mainly drawn from traditionally engaged and active citizens.
- There are high public expectations for more online activity by MPs and the HoC as an institution.
- Technology matters, as long-term internet users and especially broadband users benefit most from virtual representation, and have higher attitudes concerning the online supply of institutional transactions.
- Parliaments are not reaping the full benefits of ICTs: there is an untapped reservoir for political engagement via institutions.
- The planned, careful supply of virtual representation matters, as devolved parliaments reap a digital dividend, at least in terms of public visibility, which still eludes the HoC.
- Despite a widespread support for a range of online services and participatory initiatives, the public are distrustful of casting their ballots online, three years after the first e-voting pilots in the UK.
There is also a list of AM websites. Exploration of some of these reveals that they vary in quality.
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What on earth does this mean: 'Technology matters, as long-term internet users and especially broadband users benefit most from virtual representation, and have higher attitudes concerning the online supply of institutional transactions.'?
No plain English award for you this year!
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No plain English award for you this year!
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