Wednesday, December 29, 2010

In London, comes the e-democracy

 A measure providing for the creation of an Internet site where British citizens can upload the bills they consider most interesting. Those who reach one hundred thousand preferences will be discussed by Parliament on British Prime Minister David Cameron is the "Democracy 2.0" the last frontier of Westminster.

It may perhaps seem surprising that the British Conservatives, in the days when the House of Commons is preparing to discuss the restoration of an ancient tradition of aristocratic country as fox hunting, then make a display of progress on the web. But this is also part of the communication strategy developed at Downing Street to actively involve civil society in the affairs of state - one of several ways to bring out the Big Society outlined by Cameron guru Steve Hilton.


According to the bill, citizens would be able to settle on the Directgov website called the proposals which they consider most interesting. Those who reach the 100,000 preference and collect at least the same number of signatures, he won the space of a parliamentary debate. The government does not engage directly, state minister for relations with Parliament, Sir George Young, an amiable-looking elderly gentleman more frequent than by the Rotary hackers.

But the connection between society, or at least the people of the web, and Parliament, is assured. With a few precautions, though. For example, to prevent the activity is confined to a few simple mouse from the Internet. The turning Westminster adapting to the era of social networking websites and also passes through the control, since users will be required to register Directogov.

In a move that, while it is essential not to scupper the initiative under the blows of an anarchist and continuing controversy, it could also arouse suspicion of censorship between the nurturers more radically libertarian ideas on using the internet. Not to mention a greater danger. In a country where extremism is effectively banned from political debate, the initiative could represent an opportunity for the government's vision to bring out the "belly" of the British public.

Likely to come to light the historical aversion to Europe, often only considered by conservationists as a vehicle for immigration policy, which scares some weaker. As well as the hot topic of coexistence with Islam. In recent months, the traditional neo-fascist party, the British National Party, was joined by the new right Islamophobic dell'English Leag Defence, a mixture of hooligan instincts and the most extremist of the American Tea Party.

Or on the contrary the government's move could turn into an opportunity. Cameron's strategists are hoping to recover consensus in fact always been traditionally distant from politics: young people who have more practical of the Internet and parliamentary regulations, citizens disillusioned by corruption, which - although not comparable to ours - are perceived as very serious for the Anglo-Saxon mentality.

The same liberal-democratic, overwhelmed by a crisis of unprecedented acclaim, probably imagine to reconnect with that part of the country that has turned its back on them. In 2011 the judge. One thing is certain: if it is just a smokescreen, the people of the Web will not take long to notice.

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