Like it or not -- it is here to stay. Some observers have noted that whatever it turns out to be, e-government can't possibly be worse than government is already. State governments and the Federal Government are already using the internet in unexpected ways to provide information and services to the citizens. Call centres for some state government services in New York have even relocated to India where replies come back via email -- sometimes even related to the question. Many government documents are now available on the internet but not in paper. Whether this new development will turn out to be better or worse for most of the citizens is unknown, especially those who are not masters at internet searching or are not especially knowledgeable about computers. This book gathers important reports on the subject.

"This book focuses on the issues and challenges involving adoption and implementation of online civic engagement initiatives globally and will serve as a valuable guide to governments in their efforts to enable active citizen participation"--Provided by publisher.

"This book presents a vital compendium of research detailing the latest case studies, architectures, frameworks, methodologies, and research on Digital Democracy"--Provided by publisher.

Few developments have had broader consequences for the public sector than the introduction of the Internet and digital technology. In this book, Darrell West discusses how new technology is altering governmental performance, the political process, and democracy itself by improving government responsiveness and increasing information available to citizens. Using multiple methods--case studies, content analysis of over 17,000 government Web sites, public and bureaucrat opinion survey data, an e-mail responsiveness test, budget data, and aggregate analysis--the author presents the most comprehensive study of electronic government ever undertaken. Among other topics, he looks at how much change has taken place in the public sector, what determines the speed and breadth of e-government adoption, and what the consequences of digital technology are for the public sector. Written in a clear and analytical manner, this book outlines the variety of factors that have restricted the ability of policy makers to make effective use of new technology. Although digital government offers the potential for revolutionary change, social, political, and economic forces constrain the scope of transformation and prevent government officials from realizing the full benefits of interactive technology.