How have Open Governance initiatives activated participation of citizens in politics, government and governance? Hereby a first attempt to answer this question. In our search for the state of Open Governance we can define three ways in which initiatives try to engage citizens with politics and government. These three clusters provide for three different directions of communication: top-down, bottom-up and horizontal. In other words: from government to citizens, from citizens to government and citizens amongst each other (see Geraci, 2009, 4 pillars of an open civic system):

1. Transparency of government information (Top-down)

Up until recently people had to put a lot of effort in communicating with civil servants or politicians if they were interested in information about government activities. Or they were forced to rely on secondary information, mediated by a few journalists. Who ever took the effort to attend town hall meetings (let alone meetings in national parliament), or to phone her local representative about certain day-to-day decisions? All in all, government and governance was something out there, not something citizens could participate in on a day-to-day basis.

Several initiatives provided solutions for individuals who want to be informed about what actually happens in the arena of politics and government, who deserves their vote and what happens after they voted. There is, for example, 150volksvertegenwoordigers.nl (150representatives), which provides a database of information about all members of parliament. Politix.nl, which gives insight about the (historical) voting behaviour within the parliament. Democratiespel.nl (democracy game.), which explains by means of a gamesetting about how the Dutch political process actually works. Polidocs.nl, a search engine for political documents and openkamer.tv (open chamber) which streams debates in the chamber.

All of these initiatives create revolutionary change in the possibilities for any citizens to be informed and understand what exactly is going on in the political arena. As a consequence administrations might gain more legitimacy and credit. Moreover, people might see more possibilities to participate.

2. Communication between citizens and government (Bottom-up)

It is a hot debated issue (of all times probably): the gap between citizens and government. It does not need any explanation that this is an issue par excellence for contemporary social media entrepreneurs. Connecting citizens, public servants and politicians by means of new media applications. And whereas the topic elaborated above about transparency is more about top-down communication; these initiatives give citizens a voice; bottom-up.

People who want to inform politicians directly can use several new Open Governance tools. With maildepolitiek.nl (mail politics) they can contact any politician throughout the Netherlands directly. The initiative verbeterdebuurt.nl (improve your neighbourhood) provides for the possibility to report issues to the local government. Another initiative, burgerbuddy (civil buddy), mediates relations between politicians and citizens s who meet up every now and then to exchange ideas.

Social media have created innumerable possibilities to create new forms of relationships between citizens and politicians. This might facilitate a more direct, efficient and transparent political process. On top of that it provides possibilities for a more direct form of co-creation between citizens and the government.

3. Citizens share knowledge, discuss and organise around public issues (Horizontal)

Since the rise of digital media citizens can discuss all kind of issues on different forums. They share information and might even organise themselves around particular public issues online and offline. They can, for example, assess the quality of government and public services. Or they connect to initiate neighbourhood activities. Of course these forums doe not necessarily exclude politicians to participate as well.

One of the pioneering forums in the Netherlands (but actually Germany based) was politiek-digitaal.nl (politics digital), where participants discussed issues of government, ICT and new media. Another interesting initiative in this regard is ocosterren.nl (oco stars) which assesses schools on a users generated basis. A third example is buurtlink.nl (neighbourhood link) where people are facilitated to find each other based on their area code.

These initiatives enable people to organise themselves effectively and interactive around public issues. An interesting development, which points at new possibilities of grass roots civil society organisation.

Researching the state of Open Governance

It can be said that the first wave of pioneers has set its mark. The first technological and organisational difficulties have been overcome. Most survived, some faded. However, together they formed the field of Open Governance as it is today. But it is just a start.

Together with you we investigate the rise of Open Governance pioneers. We initiate this discussion on the state of Open Governance and hope to find  answers on the questions that are presented in these blogposts. Your comments are expected and integrated the program of the Summit and the State of Social Media publication we are preparing to publish afterwards.

Together we will set the agenda for meeting the challenges in social media in the future!

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 13:26 and is filed under Open governance.