e-democracy and inclusion: the role for government agencies in mobilizing participation

This paper introduces a conceptual framework in order to assess the opportunities that the use of Internet may provide for political inclusion by pushing changes in citizen attitudes and public knowledge. A typology for participation limits in public decision processes and their relation with the communicative potential of Internet in mobilization is proposed. The role of government agencies in the context of a transformed public sphere is dealt with by focusing on their mobilization strategies, functions and processes, considering that information and especially, attention management constitute a critical factor in shaping a public space in which the elements of an inclusive democracy may be recovered. This inclusive nature may be characterized by valuing publicity as a condition for political interaction which provides for open acknowledgment of political positions and the consideration of diversity and dissent as constituent elements of the political process. An open reflection is proposed as a conclusion, questioning the role for government agencies and the possibilities for e-democracy on the promotion of a radical democratic perspective for improved political participation in conditions of unequal access to political spaces.