Renewing democracy with "e-Community Councils"

Abstract

This paper examines action to address the growing political apathy facing many European countries through the possibility of renewing democracy at the local level using e-democracy. We describe the reasons why we need to develop e-democracy tools to support local decision-making and report on work in progress on a project to support wider democratic participation using ICT to support community councils. This project is developing a "community e-democracy model" supported by "community e-democracy tools" that will help to achieve the kind of dialogue and engagement between Community Councils and local communities that will support democratic decision making processes. The research work we are undertaking has the potential to provide a framework for e-democracy at local community, and in so doing contribute knowledge to a broad range of strategy and planning policies.