Increasing public involvement in political issues is a major issue in democracy. Most countries in the world are democratic. In essence this implies that the people are involved, directly or indirectly, in decisions by their governments. To participate in decision making, the people must have a platform where they can express their opinions. In most cases, people in democracies are involved in decision making through their representatives. This makes election of representatives as the most important political duty of every citizen. In the past there was enthusiasm towards elections where most citizens would participate in election of their leaders. This however has changed and many potential voters fail to participate in election. The article finds a solution to public participation in decision making in E-consulting.
T here has been decrease in public enthusiasm towards political issue. The authors refer the issue as political deficit. Political deficit, as used in the article, refers to decline in public’s interest in political issues. This is manifested by decline in the number of people that participate is elections. According to the authors, political deficit is made evident by low turnouts in elections, low participation in political parties and declined trust in political leaders. The basis of Democracy is to open doors for the public to participate in decision making. Political deficit counters democracy, political apathy among the people limits their involvement in decision making. Canada has been experiencing steady decline in interest in political issues. The number of people that participate in elections has been in constant decline while participation in political debates has reduced significantly.
Although to participate or not to participate in political issues is allowed in a democracy, political deficit challenges the very foundation of Democracy. Political deficit limits the number of people that are directly or indirectly involved in decision making. Various suggestions have been proposed solutions to political deficit. Some of the proposed solutions included change in voting system to ensure equitable representation, involving the youth in politics and changing the role of political parties. Others however find the solution in involving Canadians in decision making. Involving the public in decision making is very important in a democracy. Decision makers should listen to public opinions expressed in various media. They should also try to reach to the public to participate in decision making.
Public involvement is one way of implementing democracy. This involves ensuring that the public participate in decision making. Conventionally, the public is involved in decision making through listening to opinions expressed in the media. However, there have been very significant changes to the form of media. Currently the internet is a major media that is being used for communication and public debates. Being able to capture the opinions expressed through the internet can be very important to decision making. E-consultation entails using information technologies to involve the public in decision making.
Internet has developed to be an important communication tool in modern society. Internet is a major form of communication especially for the youth. E-consulting can help to overcome various elements in democracy deficit. Internet can be used to seek the dominating opinions. This can help to reduce the gap between public expectation and what is delivered. Through E-consulting, the decision makers can be able to evaluate different opinions over and issue. The increased usage of internet by many people will enable different opinions of people of different age to be evaluated be before making or implementing a decision. E-consultation allows opinions from different publics to be considered. E-consulting can allow the public to be narrowed to interest audience, affected citizen, stakeholders, general population or interested parties. It also protects the decision makers from possible manipulation of opinions by interest groups.
The case studies on implementation of E-consultancy reveal the benefits as well as challenges that can result from E-consultancy. In parliament E-consultancy can help the legislator to access the opinions of the individuals that are affected by as bill. The case study on use of E-consultancy in parliament shows that the model can enable senate committees to get direct testimonies from the public. The ability to access public opinion on matter of governance has positive contribution to democracy. However, this process can face various challenges. One of the major challenges can be slowing down legislation. As much as the law makers want to consult with many people, they have to consider the time required for legislation. In testimonies to senate committees, ensuring privacy of the participants is a major challenge.
E-consultancy provides better ways to implement democracy in the modern days. The growth of information technology has made communication easier. Governments make use of technological advancement to increase public participation in decision making. E-consultancy provides great opportunity to overcome political deficit. E-consultancy provides easier way of accessing opinions of various people and gives them the opportunity to participate actively in their governments. However, when implementing E-consultancy government should be careful to avoid conflict with representatives. Democracy in Canada is greatly challenged by political deficit, E-consultancy can be used to overcome the challenge and promote democracy.