Democratic Evolution or Virtual Civil War

[zengrifter]

Democratic Evolution or Virtual Civil War
Remarks as prepared by Steven Clift for the Promise of E-Democracy WSIS Event,
Geneva, Switzerland, December 2003 (Released online, January 2004)

Join the revolution?

I don't believe the Internet is inherently democratic. To me, most people and organizations are fundamentally anti-democratic by nature. Many of those in power and those clamoring for power are self-centered actors. They operate within the miracle we call representative democracy. Most accept the idea that democracy is good, but these actors do little to ensure its strength.

After a decade working directly with e-democracy issues, I've concluded that "politics as usual" online may be the tipping point that finishes off what television started – the extinction of democracy and democratic spirit.

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