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The internet has allowed those with access to create, view and spread information with the rapid developments of electronic technology, enabling a much quicker means of communication between people, businesses and organizations. The changes are even more dramatic in business as it becomes the main method for conducting transactions with other organizations and potential clients. These changes play a significant role in intermediary. When it comes to democracy, many entities fill the intermediary roles and much of the debate have been on whether the internet contributes to direct democracy, where people decide on policies without any intermediary. With internet connectivity, citizens are able to participate in discussions thus, strengthening the integration of citizens in the political debate in a cost-effective way. Digital technologies have turned political engagement into a more decentralized process, with aims to increase transparency and legitimacy of a political system through democratic engagement.

Democracy should be rooted in the popular consent of citizens, and digital technology is enabling the facilitation of this citizen-centricity approach. Delivering services to citizens is at the heart of government, and citizens expects a more transparent, accessible and responsive services from their government. As a result, many governments are making continuous efforts to improve service delivery through online portals. This makes it possible to deliver information and services the citizens desire, rather than what democratic institutions determine. It recognizes and responds to people as individuals with unique needs and desires and captures feedback from citizens about their changing needs and opinions. With online engagement, citizens play a vital role in decision makings by increasing access and representation in discussing political issues. This means every member of society can vote on everything and could eliminate the problem of lobbying.

So why is the internet’s ability to alter communication in democracies appears to be limited? Well apparently, the drive for democracy services and information increasingly comes from the citizens rather than democratic institutions. While digital technologies offer an opportunity to strengthen informed citizen participation, it also puts increased power and capability in the hands of citizens with significant implications for the operation of democratic institutions. People can vote on anything in any way in a direct democracy, which means an un-knowledgeable vote can lead to disaster. As a result, many people will not want to, or feel unqualified to take part in decision-making hence, political activists get to decide what happens. It is therefore critical in a direct democracy for citizens to have the willingness to stay informed of all the critical issues given that the decisions made by the current population could have life-changing consequences on future generations.

With direct democracy, the challenge for democratic institutions would be the need to balancing the establishment of discussion forum to improve consultation on political issues and investing infrastructure to assist citizens in managing their information needs.

What is important to consider is that democracy is certainly evolving alongside wider developments of society and these fundamental changes are made possible by digital technologies. It is already underway! What is therefore needed to understand is whether digital technologies promote democratic deliberation or is the digital world democratic in its essential form.