From social networking and democratic activity to the efficacy of e-Government: Macro and micro perspectives

As my title for this editorial suggests, this edition provides new research findings in two spheres of profound interest to this journal and its readers: those of the gathering significance of social media to democratic engagements on the one hand, and of how to view and evaluate e-government in the contemporary state, on the other. In some respects these topics are coming more and more into the mainstream of democratic and governmental conversations, including those of academics. And so it should be. Information Polity is dedicated to enlarging discussion of these sorts and is firmly of the view that papers published between its covers are more and more what should be viewed as centre-ground rather than peripheral. Old ways of seeing, ones that miss the detail of informational and communications analysis, are increasingly found wanting. If we are to explain, analyse and even propose changes in the 21st century polity then we need to understand the ways in which information flow and communication are changing. All five papers published here contribute richly to that necessary core of understanding. In assembling the papers for this edition I was presented with a choice. Should I begin with three papers that offer new insights in the field of e-government or should I begin with the two papers that offer research findings on the use of social media in contemporary democracy? I have chosen the latter, but only because the first of these papers concerns the activities of what many would consider the fountainhead of democracy, that of parliament. As scholars we need to know a lot more than we do about how parliaments operate, as well as about other developments in the democratic sphere. The first two papers provide insights in these respects. Had I chosen to lead with the other three papers then I would be arguing something very similar from an ‘egovernment’ perspective. But, the parliamentary point held sway on this occasion. The first paper in this edition raises major considerations for democratic practise and is from Cristina Leston-Bandeira and David Bender from the School of Politics, Philosophy and International Studies at the University of Hull, UK. Their research question is ‘How deeply are parliaments engaging on social media?’ The authors have used Facebook and Twitter feeds, as well as interview data, to examine social media activity in five European parliaments. The authors emphasise the late arrival of parliaments into the world of social media, their current engagement and the vulnerabilities that arise from engagement with such immediate and active [and possibly hostile] media. It is perhaps this latter point that explains why most parliamentary social networking activity is limited to business reporting rather than deeper forms of engagement with the public. The article has much to commend it including its specific findings. I would draw readers’ attention to section 3 in particular. Here, under the question ‘Do social media fit parliaments?’, the authors provide an excellent review of the literature and the arguments that appertain in respect how a parliament qua parliament can, and most importantly, should engage with public debate.