E-Government is in principle nothing new. The Internet is primarily a communications medium, not a space to do things, other than buy the odd book, CD or bottle of wine. And yet there are hundreds of projects up and down the country, online communities, pressure groups and learning centres where e-Government is happening. E-Government might enable a citizen to access the form they need to fill out to order a copy of their birth certificate without needing to know that the Health Department handles the request. Other services that citizens want online include renewing a driver's license, voting on the Internet, filing taxes, and obtaining park information. Governments were among the first users...
On November 4, 2008 after another bruising and divisive campaign as the night wears thin it becomes clear for the second time this decade that the Presidential candidate with the most popular votes is not the winner of the Electoral College system. That next morning Americans wake in disbelief with the world asking how did this happen again. As the weeks pass the popularly chosen candidate decides not to concede, as Democrat Al Gore did in 2000, leading to a Constitutional crisis. In this state of confusion, many Americans take to the streets in support of their favorite candidate, further dividing the nation while believing that their visible show of support could sway the Supreme Court. However...
The Core Idea of Democracy
irst requirement is to remember the critical role of the legislature in the integrity system. The essential insight of ‘ethics regimes’ and ‘integrity systems’ is that no single institution can provide the answer and that each must support the other. We would argue that a democratic legislature can and should provide the lynchpin of the integrity system. First, government officials only have power to act according to the law and Parliament can and should carefully consider what powers they give to public officials. Secondly, members and committees asking questions of government can provide a focal point for the reporting of questionable practices. This strengthen independent...
Serious Defects in Modern Democracy, 2 - The...
We are led to believe that we live in a Representational Democracy, but does Democracy really exist as other than hypothetical proposition? The initial democratic theory evolved to counteract absolute rule by the Aristocracy. The historical record shows that aristocracies have thrived since ancient times, Democracy, it seems, never made it out of the hypothetical realm. Democracy may have enjoyed a brief historical existence during the brief administration of the Athenian lawmaker, Solon during the 6th Century BCE. The Athenian aristocracy fearful of losing economic power called upon Solon to prevent an eminent public uprising, due to the fact that they controlled some 99% of the Athenian wealth...
Democracy is the Only Form of Government That...
All types of government have limitations. For example, an autocracy in Germany from 1933 to 1945 gave no opportunity for ordinary citizens to participate in state decision making process because an individual or a political party singlehandedly run the nation. While an oligarchy in South Africa during apartheid era set political barriers for the majority black race of the country to get involve in government because only the few white elite managed authority. However, democracy in Canada grants chance for all kinds of citizens to participate in politics although it is limited to minority groups. Since it is impossible to organize a state without regime, therefore I will support democracy as the only...
Australian democracy is based on the British Westminster system of Government. Hardly surprising really, considering that Australia was founded as a British convict settlement. Although my family history was one of 'free settlers' which meant they had enormous privileges in the beginnings of this country even though life was hard. My family pioneered the New England region of New South Wales. For the past 70 years of electoral history, Australia has not had a 'hung' election result. The last time it happened was in the 1940's so today we are literally breaking new democratic ground for most Australians. All political parties accept campaign contributions. In my opinion, this is dangerous to real...
> If democracy is any more up for a redefinition anywhere, now would be the time and the Middle East would be the place. Events in Iraq and the elections of the Palestians had a contageous effect in other Middle Eastern countries too. For the first time in at least 50 years, we see grassroots demand for updated versions of democracy in countries that have long been dominated by authoritarian regimes; Egyptians have been demanding to be allowed a multi party system, in Lebanon the fall of a strongly Syrian influenced government went accompanied by street rallies and even in Syria, where street bans are most stringent, the people going out on the streets were unusually defyant. What are the chances...
Can We Trust E-Government-E-Democracy and...
In the future most of the governments of the World will indeed be run by artificially intelligent machines and this scares some people. Recently the Online Think Tank was asked; Can We Trust E-Government, E-Democracy and Government IT Systems of the future? Well perhaps you should ask; more than the current Politicians? Right now many Younger Citizens and Xers do not trust the government of course they do not trust any authority of any kind. Then their Baby Boomers parents remember the 60s when things were not so trusting. What will happen in the future and how can we get the people to trust a computer system that runs our entire government and actually has humans working for it. That day is coming...
We Need More Direct Democracy
Representative government fails when corrupt politicians mostly serve corporate and other special interests. Then it is crucial for citizens to have direct democracy opportunities. This means having the right to place initiatives or referenda on ballots that can make new laws, amend constitutions, recall elected officials, or control taxes and government spending. Though many local and 24 state governments provide rules for some ballot measures and initiatives, they have been limited by diverse establishment, status quo political interests on the left and right that feel threatened by such populist citizen power. I was impressed by the recent Wall Street Journal article by John Fund: The Far Left's...
How the United States Capitol Dome Became a...
One of the most famous landmarks of the United States is the United States Capitol with the cupola or dome that graces its roofline. The Capitol dome, with its pure white sandstone is radiant-a symbol of democracy and strength. A breathtaking site when illuminated at night it is a fitting finale for the building it crowns. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, it houses the Senate and House chambers of the legislative branch. It is among the most symbolic and architecturally impressive buildings of our Nation. The original cupola design began with a Capitol design contest operated by Thomas Jefferson who was Secretary of State under President George Washington. The award $500.00 and a city lot...
The Wall That Separates Democracy and Autocracy...
A government may be constitutional, but not democratic. Authoritarian government is democratic but non-constitutional, sometimes also referred to as "simple unchecked democracy." Absolute democracy has been extremely precarious and cannot survive in the modern era. Such kind of regime has rapidly failed resulting to chaos, civil wars, widespread lawlessness and violence. Absolute democracy has been buried into oblivion now that diverse authoritarian fills have been consented. Democracy exists where the principal leaders of a political system are selected by competitive elections in which the bulk of the population has the opportunity to participate. Democracy however, must not be defined in terms of...