THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ON DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ON DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Summary/Abstract: Digital technology and new social media have brought new opportunities, but also challenges for democratic political life in the off-line and online space (civic activism, opinion creation, innovation of governance). In the digital age citizens need more flexible policies and new forms of direct participation. In their opinion, parliamentary institutions are unsatisfactory, unacceptable and sluggish. The paper discusses the possibility of developing a new model of direct digital democracy - a more active role and more effective participation of modern demos in democratic processes enabled by digital technology and modern interactive communication systems. This does not imply upgrading the existing political participation which supports participatory democracy, but greater personal responsibility of citizens who, within the limits of political knowledge, participate in the discussion of all issues of importance for living in the community with experts, politicians and other citizens and who play a role in the decision-making process. “Network“ is a social space of interaction, political activism, governance and decision-making by citizens that shape political processes in a “real“ society (from national to global). Digital democracy brings a change in party, political and collective organization, activism and criticism. However, technology itself does not create democracy. Democracy has a material and social basis, therefore, real obstacles to the development of digital democracy are still in: the present digital divide between the rich and the poor within states and between states, in tensions between democracy and modern corporate capitalism, in the pursuit of democratic and undemocratic governments to control information and social media, in creating a personalized world through social media, within the limits of citizens’ political knowledge, in citizen’s (dis)interest, in transforming the dimensions of public space, etc.

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