E-democracy - Democracy's Reliance On The Internet

Democracy's Reliance On The Internet

Democracy in America has evolved and will continue to evolve to be reliant on the Internet. This is because the Internet is and will continue to be the primary source of information for most Americans. It is likely that in the future it will be the primary source of information for all Americans. The Internet educates people on Democracy and the Democratic culture with its vast collection of information regarding democracy. The Internet is also constantly being updated with news on America's elections and politics, helping people stay up to date with what is happening in their government. Online advertising is becoming more popular for political candidates and group's opinions on propositions. The Internet contains almost all available information on these topics and if a person sees information regarding these topics on the Internet, then chances are that that person will research them on the Internet. Just glancing over an advertisement can be enough to provoke the initial interest in the topic, which can lead to further research. Being able to get all of the information needed about a candidate around the clock as well as being able to vote over the Internet is more appealing to younger voters who have become eligible to vote within the last few years. Having the luxury and convenience of the Internet for shopping, researching, etc. has made younger voters who were raised using a computer less excited about going to vote. Some new voters make it seem like they would rather live in a dictatorship then go to a voting booth.

The Internet is the first place that most people look for information and often the only place that they look. The reason for this, and especially for younger voters, is that it is easy and reliable when used correctly, thus lowering an individual's workload. This gives the user a sense of instant gratification that, in the era of multitasking on computers, is crucial. If the information is not easy to find then most people will not look for it. Because the Internet is so user friendly, people are more likely to research and get involved in politics. The Internet allows people to express their opinions about the government through an alias, anonymously and judgment free. Since a person can express themselves anonymously and from the comfort of their own home, the Internet gives incentive for people to participate in the government. Also, because of the large number of people who use the Internet, a person who puts their ideas on a high-traffic website is capable of having influence over a large number of people.

The Internet is a two way street. It enables citizens to get and post information about politicians and it allows those politicians to get advice from the people in larger numbers. This collective decision making and problem solving gives more power to the citizens and helps politicians make decisions faster. This creates a more productive society that can handle problems faster and more efficiently. Getting feedback and advice from the American population is a large part of a politician's job and the Internet allows them to function effectively with larger numbers of people's opinions. With this heightened ability to communicate with the public the American government is able to function more capably and effectively as a Democracy.