ISSN: 2173-8254

Nº 26 June 2024

REFLECTIONS ON DIGITAL ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY IN THE FACE OF ANALOGUE CITIZENS

Institution: Universidad de Coimbra
Country: Portugal

In this text, the terms “e-administration”, “e-governance” and “e-democracy” are discussed, in light of the values ​​of good public governance existing in the legal systems of Portugal, Spain and the European Union. Considerations are made about their results in relation to “analog citizens”, who are mainly among the oldest, poorest and least educated. It was concluded that, to eliminate the harm arising from this “digital divide”, it is important that, in the current transition phase, the digitalization of Administration is promoted in parallel with appropriate non-electronic channels. There is no need for a setback in digitalization. Furthermore, the aim is to keep the debate alive about the risks of regression arising from new technologies in public administration, if there is no digital literacy and accessibility. In particular, it is concerned with the exercise of already established rights, related to the democratic participation of citizens.