Political Participation and Democracy in the Information Age: Effects of ICT-Based Communication Forms between the Authorities and the Citizens on Traditional Channels of Participation and Democracy

The main trends concerning the traditional channels of participation are reduced voting turnout, reduced participation in political parties, stable participation in associations and increased citizen contact. The influence of ICT based form of communication on the relations between the authorities and the citizens are heavily influenced by the role of the citizens designed by the authorities. If the citizens are treated as customers the authorities are pursuing a consultative model focusing on creating an effective administration. The flow of information is unilinear; however, if the role of the citizens is a citizen’s role the administrative system pursue a participatory model. The information society produces frames of actions for the society, yet it is the role planned for the citizens that create the opportunities for E-Democracy. Based on these interaction models we assume effects on turnout in elections and on citizens’ role and activity in traditional channels. This paper is a theoretical contribution.