Engaging Europeans in policy-making: Are governments being successful?

Vicente Cuervo, María Rosalía; Novo Vázquez, Amparo

Abstract:

In the last years governments have implemented several initiatives in order to take advantage of the potential of the internet to engage citizens in policy-making and, thus, to overcome the traditional barriers observed in the offline context, those being, that the most advantaged socio-economic groups are the most likely to get involved. This paper addresses whether these governments’ initiatives have been. Hence, it is analyzed whether Europeans are using the different online tools implemented by public authorities: political representatives’ e-mail, consultations, public collaborative platforms or/and policy documents. Results show that digital skills and online networks are key elements to explain citizens’ use of governments’ online tools. Nonetheless, public initiatives seem to have been little successful since the patterns of online participation mirror the offline divides. Interestingly enough, some evidence that points out that citizens might be using these online tools to express their disappointment with public policies and authorities.

Área(s) temática(s):

• 2. Gobierno, Instituciones y Comportamiento Políticos

Año:

2014

Tipo de publicación:

Paper/Extenso Congresos GIGAPP

Número:

1000

Serie:

V Congreso Internacional en Gobierno, Administración y Políticas Públicas

Dirección:

Sede INAP. Madrid, España

Organización:

GIGAPP- IUIOG

Mes:

29-Sept 01-Oct. 2014