E-citizenship

Broadband Internet applications and strategies are going to have a decisive impact on the interaction between citizens and the state. In Germany, we can expect to see virtual delivery in many areas of public administration. The next section examines three of the most important of these in more detail: e-government, e-democracy and e-participation.

In a globalized world, Germany will need to act to remain competitive as a business location. Streamlined bureaucracy and the enactment of structural reforms will play a major part in this process. In this context, over two-thirds of the experts from public-sector institutions surveyed assessed e-government as important or very important for a country to be perceived internationally as an attractive business location, and for the increased efficiency and effectiveness of public administration (Fig. 52).

Fig. 52:		Importance of e-government in Germany (Experts at public-sector institutions)

The consumers surveyed also put a high priority on more flexible administrative processes and above all the delivery of a wider range of administration services via the Internet. More than 75 percent of respondents expressed a preference for a wider range of Internet-based administrative services, particularly to save time and money.

The Internet is an intrinsically democratic medium, as a place for exchanging a multitude of services and opinions. When viewed in this light, broadband Internet is clearly an ideal medium for elections and referendums. Accordingly, the experts assessed the potential applications of e-democracy as essentially very positive, with security, i.e. the protection of privacy, as the main remaining challenge (see Fig. 53).

Fig. 53:		Importance of e-democracy in Germany (Experts at public-sector institutions)

The fundamental prerequisite for maximum civil involvement in political and community issues is a fully informed population, which is therefore in a position to reflect on current issues and events and form its own opinion. Previously, political activity often involved considerable expense, but broadband Internet gives today's citizens a powerful instrument for making their voice heard. Over 60 percent of the experts surveyed agreed with this assessment, noting additionally that e-participation could save both time and money in the implementation of public-sector projects (Fig. 54).

Fig. 54:		Importance of e-participation in Germany (Experts at public-sector institutions)

The experts surveyed, however, also discerned a few trends as requiring close monitoring and attention. Over 50 percent of the experts believed that certain types of broadband Internet applications, such as online gaming, could potentially create addiction or financial risks for high users. They identified gambling and the propensity of some individuals to retreat into virtual worlds as major concerns. The experts also agreed that priority had to be given to protecting all family members. They saw a major need to protect minors from exposure to inappropriate content.

The central problem and highest priority identified was protection against unauthorized access to personal data. Over 80 percent of respondents also agreed on the importance of more safety measures to protect young people (Fig. 55).

Fig. 55:		Assessments on safety measures for broadband Internet (Experts at public-sector institutions)

The consumers surveyed took a similar view: here again, safeguarding personal data and the protection of minors were identified as special priorities (Fig. 56). A comparable level of importance (approx. 93 percent) was assigned by consumers to protection against fraud in Internet retail transactions.

Fig. 56:		Consumers’ security concerns involving the Internet (Consumers)

To sum up: Broadband Internet is a significant driver of progress towards an information society. It operates as a market-place of ideas and opinions, and enriches our democracy. Interaction between citizens, their elected representatives and public officials will increasingly be conducted in the virtual arena.

Yet the increased political and social use of the broadband Internet extends beyond the regional and national context. The open nature of the Internet in particular and the information society in general also requires us to address these issues at a global level. Accordingly the next chapter will focus on the special position of global broadband Internet in society and the economy.