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Some Assembly Required: Building a Digital Government for the 21st Century

Abstract

Organizing committee

Acknowledgements

Executive summary

1. Background - the dimensions of American government

2. The new web - technology, policies, people, and organizations

3. Government needs for the 21st century

4. Designing a multidisciplinary research enterprise for Digital Government

5. Digital Government Program recommendations

Selected references

Appendix A. Workshop summary

Appendix B. Workshop participants

Appendix C. Background papers
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5. Digital Government Program recommendations

2. Attend to issues of "governance" as well as "government" in the digital age.

Information technology can play a significant role in transforming not only government services and administration, but also the working of democratic institutions. Projects that focus on the nature and effects of "digital governance," the roles and rights of citizens, and the functioning of civil society should be included in the Digital Government research program. In doing so, the program will:

  • Encourage both analysis and reflection about the effects of emerging technologies on citizens and non-governmental institutions.
  • Account for the role, capabilities, and preferences of citizens in decisions about how to use technology in the service of democracy.
  • Understand how the infusion of technology at different points in the democratic process affects the distribution and exercise of power.