The outstanding features of the 20th century has been identified by several scholars of political science as democracy and telecommunication technology including interactive communication technologies such as’ the Internet and the electronic mail (e-mail). These are likely to continue as the most outstanding features of the 21st century. This article attempts to examine the role of the new technologies in strengthening democracy.

Democracy is supported by four pillars-the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and the press. (The press is used interchangeably with the media). The modern media are not the same as the same businesses which ran community newspapers in olden days. The role of the mass media in agenda setting, in general, has been established by many researchers. The media through association with equally powerful businesses mould public opinion in such a manner that people’s dissent is suppressed and assent or assumed assent is highlighted depending on the media’s own economic interests. Undemocratic and anti-people actions by those who wield power are sometimes de-emphasized if the media’s own interests are affected. Since most media are not just in the media business alone but are conglomerates have several other business alone but are conglomerates having several other business interests, one cannot be too sure about their independence. Democracy is strengthened by the collective action of the people – a properly informed people. If the media of communication and information are not independent of vested interests, the public is misled. When governments overspend money forgetting the basic needs of the large majority of the people, public action through discussion and frank expression of opinion at town meetings, panchayat samities and small group discussions in the interactive/interpersonal mode become essential.

All that the modern media can do is to publicize rapidly the activities of the panchayat administration but the essential aspects of communitarian democracy and priorities are interpersonal in practice. The mass media may no generate the people’s enthusiasm; they may mobilize people but the people can act only through interactive discussion and collective action for their own benefit. The mass media can cover the events but because of their structure and nature, they cannot follow up the processes essential for the redressal of people’s grievances beyond a certain limit. The outcome of people action will depend on their own interpersonal and intergroup communication and action.

To rejuvenate the interest of the people in elections and in vital issues affecting the people of a locality, the people themselves have to come together and revive their flagging interest through active discussions. Many political observers and communication scholars are of the view that the Internet and the e-mail are the best means to motivate people. In matters vital to their locality or area of residence, local people can consult one another through these interactive devices.

The telex, teleprinter, videotex, teletex, the e-mail, the Internet – these interactive communication devices can be utilized provided citizens have access to them. Today, these are utilized mostly by big corporations, multinational in origin and operation; big global firms, industries, banks, insurance companies, universities and international and national research institutions. But the average citizens’ use of the Internet or the e-mail is still very scanty. The ultra-modern communication systems have to reach the stage of popular use it they have to become effective aids to the process of strengthening democracy.

Electronic voting is the first step. Even in India where the mass media systems ads well as the interactive systems are currently confined to the metropolitan cities and large towns, electronic voting machines were used in recent elections. There use will be extended to other areas in future elections but can we say that the use of the electronic machines alone will ensure modernization of political democracy?

Democracy has to become a way of life.

Voting is only one aspect of democracy. The democratic way of life will become widely prevalent only when the absolutely poor (some 320 million Indians) become empowered through education and a steady job. Many modern aspects of life are still out of bounds for test happiness millions. Life is a constant struggle with adversity for them.

Assuming that the poor, illiterate masses will eventually reach a stage where they will have fulfilled the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, education, healthcare and above all steady employment we can talk more realistically about the use of the interactive systems.

The benefits of the processes of liberalization, privatization and globalization will have to reach the rural areas. When important decisions affecting the socio-economic, political and cultural life of the people are taken in the Panchayati Raj system, are all the people of the Panchayat (gram, block and zilla) properly informed? Are they getting an opportunity to voice their opinions ? Even without going to the panchayat meeting, citizens can express their views electronically. Political leaders can query the people of their constituencies through the e-mail. They can also hold tele-conferences with leaders of various citizens groups assembled at a media centre.

Information Technology (IT) is revolutionizing business and professional communication systems and methods, making the task of communication and exchange of information easier, more effective and more efficient. Sound printers or computer that can directly print dictated words are being tested and developed. (Such a system could also be called printaphone).

All this will enhance the performance of e-politics, that is, the practice of democracy through electronic means. The convergence of telecommunication and compute technology (IT) can lead to the emergence of a new democratic political culture. But for this to become widespread, the intra-personal information and communication process going on within the human body has to be strengthened by formal and informal education and the use of the modern devices by all citizens. Experience, education and the proper equipment will determine the quality of the interactive message, their transmission efficiency and the action based on such interaction.

The Internet and Democracy

The most modern and by far the quickest and most effective worldwide system of communication is the Internet. It links subscribers globally through its world wide web (www) and each subscribing person or organization can be reached within minutes, if not seconds.

The Internet is a huge global network of computer chains. It is, in a way, the nets’ net, wiring sources of information on any topic, event or personality under the sun in a global super-computer web or network.

Citizens of countries, regions of countries or those belonging to different political ideologies can communicate through the Internet or e-mail. Telephone, telegraphy or postal service may be ineffectual in certain situations but the e-mail and the Internet can be relied upon. Universalization and democratization of information, a primary requirement of democracy, are made possible by the new devices of interactive communication.

The success of democratic system depends on decentralization. Concentrating the power of communication in fewer and fewer hands is the characteristic of mass media systems. It is responsible for the steady erosion of democratic values. The mass media system, despite its eulogization by everyone as the Fourth Estate, has proved itself to be anti-democratic because of its heavily concentrated ownership pattern all over the world today. The freedom to inform through the mass media resides in a few hands.

Another advantage is that there is no need to remove an old page or site to install a new website. This too increases the immense possibility of fostering the communication process. Broadcasting and telecasting technologies do not have this kind of unlimited possibility because their channels have limitations and in the fierce competition for channel facility, may communicators fail. Further, the amount to be spent on channel broadcasting or telecasting is enormous, ordinary citizens cannot afford it. Only big media companies can reach the millions through radio, TV or Cable TV. On the other hand, the Internet empowers even ordinary citizens to disseminate ideas that are useful to the general public. All they have to do is to invest a lakh of rupees for home facilities or go to a nearby e-mail Internet kiosk.

Public Opinion Surveys

Surveying and assessing public opinion is an essential part of the democratic system. But it is a highly expensive and sometimes a bit undependable method, especially when conducted in the conventional manner. With the help of interactive e-systems, citizens can be surveyed in a more dependable and less expensive manner. When citizens with computers at home having computer at home having web server/web hosting service are surveyed, opinion votes can be collected quickly and decisions implemented on the basis of the survey results. The basic cost components of the new system will include the cost of a personal computer and its hardware, subscription for the Internet/Online service and the cost of connecting the computer with the global service.

More subscribers will mean more widespread service and bigger bandwidth for the network. This will help citizens and their organizations to realize their social, political, economic or cultural objectives.

Using the new technologies, ordinary citizens in different parts of the world can raise their voice against the injustices and violence perpetrated on innocent humanity and their voice will be heard quickly by the decision-makers whose conscience will certainly be agitated.

Not only man-made disasters, but natural disasters in different regions of the world can be conveyed effectively by citizens in the far corners of the world. Tragedies can be minimized and in some cases totally averted. This is a distinct possibility because there is no national control on cyberspace.