Michel J. Menou on 6 Feb 2001 21:33:46 -0000 |
[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]
[Nettime-bold] Re: [CI]: Re: [CPI-UA]: Reform Democracy for the Internet Age |
Michael Gurstein's points are well taken. Even without sticking to historical materialism, it is however useful to place the debate about democracy, electronic or not, in a particular time, space and context. Direct democracy, or alledged forms of this, have shown throughout history their limits. While it can work, to some extent, in small places among people who can know each other and on specific issues, it can hardly apply to large communities, especially if they are amorphous as Internet users worldwide for instance. Thus the issue is how to create legitimate and democratic bodies, structures, intermediaires, etc. who can act as representatives for the many "virtual communities". There is no doubt that the technology in itself is capable of tremendously easing democratic processes. However what we have seen up to now too often is the possibilty it offers to a few wired self-appointed gurus to monopolize the instrument and the discourse. Institutional manipulation is not less exquisite when putting up an odd electronic conference or consultation for a short while can be presented as the basis for evidencing democratic approval of a proposal. Of course, this is only the beginning and we have a long way to go and learn. Let's hope it won't get us in some brave new (already!) world. Michel _______________________________________________ Nettime-bold mailing list Nettime-bold@nettime.org http://www.nettime.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nettime-bold