Government and e-participation programs: A study of the challenges faced by institutional projects

Authors

  • Francisco Paulo Jamil Almeida Marques FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MINAS GERAIS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v15i8.2858

Keywords:

e-Democracy - e-Government - Political Participation - Political Institutions - Brazil

Abstract

This paper examines the difficulties faced by government projects aimed at fostering citizens' political participation by using the Internet. After presenting the participatory tools found on two institutional Web sites (the Brazilian Presidency and the House of Representatives), I examine how the constraints pointed out by a relevant part of the literature in e-participation are reflected in such initiatives. Promoting online participation needs more than providing communication resources, since civic culture and other issues are still key factors in influencing our patterns of political involvement. A participatory use of digital tools depends more on circumstances, such as institutional willingness, than on technical mechanisms available.

Author Biography

Francisco Paulo Jamil Almeida Marques, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF MINAS GERAIS

Francisco Marques (PhD in Communication Studies) is lecturer in Media Politics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where he teaches courses and conducts research on the political use of new media. In 2006 he worked as a Visiting Scholar at Saint Louis University (Department of Philosophy), studying problems concerning Public Deliberation under supervision of Dr. James Bohman. Over the last years his interests focused on Internet, Political Representation and Participation. [email: marquesjamil@yahoo.com.br].

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Published

2010-07-24

How to Cite

Marques, F. P. J. A. (2010). Government and e-participation programs: A study of the challenges faced by institutional projects. First Monday, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v15i8.2858