The internet has been one of the most revolutionary inventions in human history, changing lives and defying business and societal order. Who needs to the go to the store with online shopping? Paying bills? Online. Go to the cinema? Just stream it online. However, one aspect of our lives has been almost untouched. Even though politicians claim to be digitally aware, there has been little change in the government.
We should acknowledge that the election process has changed since the Obama campaign back in 2008, where politicians attempted to influence millions of voters through the clever use of social media. But regardless how many times an MP tweets in a day, has the business of making laws really changed?
There has been a lot of talk in Britain about a 'digital government', both in the coalition and the previous labor party. But that is all it has been, talk. No real progress has been made. I do like the crowdsourcing idea - asking the population to give some ideas about policies - and there has been some online petitions with guarantees of response. But no initiative has yet produced any changes in laws.
Public services, like paying taxes, are slowing becoming online, even if it is to save money rather than be convenient. There have been a few shouts to free up the data held by the Whitehall department so that anyone can map crime or monitor public transport. But there is still some reluctance to open up completely. There is a long way to go, but I believe the best is yet to come.
Several old laws and policies will probably become redundant in the near future because of the internet. Hence governments - at least the ones that have freedom of the internet - have to spend the next few decades reviewing the old laws, and introduce new, good policies that will exist because of the potential of the internet.
Once the people get connected, they look forward to voicing their opinions and expecting to be heard - asking them to just be quiet and be governed is no longer an option.
We should acknowledge that the election process has changed since the Obama campaign back in 2008, where politicians attempted to influence millions of voters through the clever use of social media. But regardless how many times an MP tweets in a day, has the business of making laws really changed?
There has been a lot of talk in Britain about a 'digital government', both in the coalition and the previous labor party. But that is all it has been, talk. No real progress has been made. I do like the crowdsourcing idea - asking the population to give some ideas about policies - and there has been some online petitions with guarantees of response. But no initiative has yet produced any changes in laws.
Public services, like paying taxes, are slowing becoming online, even if it is to save money rather than be convenient. There have been a few shouts to free up the data held by the Whitehall department so that anyone can map crime or monitor public transport. But there is still some reluctance to open up completely. There is a long way to go, but I believe the best is yet to come.
Several old laws and policies will probably become redundant in the near future because of the internet. Hence governments - at least the ones that have freedom of the internet - have to spend the next few decades reviewing the old laws, and introduce new, good policies that will exist because of the potential of the internet.
Once the people get connected, they look forward to voicing their opinions and expecting to be heard - asking them to just be quiet and be governed is no longer an option.
I like the way you write Sagnik! I can't comment on half the things you write about because I am not as aware about these topics as much as you are... Although I wonder how you come up with (seemingly) random topics to talk about. :P
ReplyDeleteSo far its been - movies, politics, science, technology - interested to see what your next post is going to be about!
Not complaining - just curious. Keep at it!