Web 2.0 has become the buzz word for describing social media available on the Internet, such as blogs, photo and file sharing systems and social networking sites. These Web 2.0 applications are rapidly transforming citizen-citizen and citizen-government interactions in a manner not seen before. In recognition of these trends, governments are already taking a very close look at Web 2.0 and online communities in order to leverage them for designing products and services and for providing citizen services. This book brings together international scholars to provide the theoretical and practical contexts for understanding the nature of Web 2.0 technologies and their impact on political, public policy and management processes, and to explore how best Web 2.0 applications can be leveraged and aligned with the strategic goals of government organizations to add value and ensure effective governance. Drawing from experiences from countries around the globe, the book provides the theoretical context of the potential for Web 2.0 applications to transform government services, as well as practical examples of leading public sector institutions that have attempted to use Web 2.0 applications to enhance government operations, policy making and administration. There are three parts to the book, namely 1) Perspectives on Web 2.0 and Democratic Governance, 2) The Political, Policy and Management Impacts of Web 2.0 in Government, and 3) Leveraging Web 2.0 Applications for Effective Governance. This book differs from existing edited books on Web 2.0 technologies that focus primarily on politics and e-democracy because it examines the impact of the applications on politics, policy and public management. The book contributes toward the literature by filling the existing void and expanding knowledge in the field of public administration and policy, making it of interest to both academics and policy-makers.

Drawing on case studies from Denmark, The Netherlands and the UK, this book discusses new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Contributors argue that ICTs play an important role in the process of restructuring and redefining basic relations within the political systems of Western democracies.

"This book investigates the effects of Web technologies and social media on interaction and the political process helping readers to use Web technologies to address local and global problems and improve systems of governance, social equity, economic activity, sustainability, service delivery, transparency, and the ethical and legal dimensions of public service"--Provided by publisher.

"This book defines the role of Web 2.0 technologies in government and highlights a variety of strategies and tools public administrators can use to engage citizens, including suggestions for adoption and implementation based on the lessons learned by scholars and practitioners in the field"--Provided by publisher.

The evolution of modern technology has allowed digital democracy and e-governance to transform traditional ideas on political dialogue and accountability. Digital Democracy and the Impact of Technology on Governance and Politics: New Globalized Practices brings together a detailed examination of the new ideas on electronic citizenship, electronic democracy, e-governance, and digital legitimacy. By combining theory with the study of law and of matters of public policy, this book is essential for both academic and legal scholars, researchers, and practitioners.

“This enlightening book provides unique insights into the governance of the digital world, and the impact of that digital world on governance of the economy and society.” —B. Guy Peters, Maurice Falk Professor of American Government, Pittsburgh University, USA, and Former President of International Public Policy Association (IPPA) “Well-researched, this book is insightful and constructive. Broadly defining institutions as an ecosystem of relationships, readers gain new perspectives on hard problems. A fast, worthwhile read!” —Vinton Cerf, Internet pioneer, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google “Governance for the Digital World is a highly welcome contribution to the pursuit of good governance in what till some years ago was labeled unchartered territory in the world we are living in. It is high time to get more insight into the dilemmas, intricacies, predicaments, and, last but not least, the considerable opportunities offered by digital technologies and algorithms in particular. It is of the utmost importance that for that matter this book stresses the notion of the digital commons. Irrespective of the role of state and non-state actors, eventually digital technologies pervade the daily existence of all human beings. So good governance is not a matter of choice but sheer necessity. And, as the authors show in their in-depth analysis, good governance reaches beyond the do’s and don’ts of governments. It is also about the functions and interests of private corporations and small- and midsize businesses, non-governmental organizations, offline and online media, and the citizenry at large. I commend the authors for their inclusive approach to digital governance and self-governance. Their book is at the very heart of today’s pivotal debate on good governance in the digital world.” —Uri Rosenthal, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Former Special Envoy for Cyber Diplomacy, and Chairman Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, Netherlands This book explores new frameworks, institutional arrangements, rules, and policies for governance of the digital world. As digitization rapidly intertwines the many dimensions of society, billions of people have witnessed a quiet and seamless integration of the Internet, software, platforms, algorithms, and digital devices into their daily lives, as well as into many forms of governance and decision making in the public and private sectors. The new technologies require new norms and practices to govern the digital world. This is the challenge addressed by this book: How can society create institutions that govern the digital world in a way that is beneficial to society? This book explores answers—still initial and provocative—to this central question. The reflections presented in this book have a theoretical and conceptual nature borrowed from different fields of science to identify the main challenges for the governance of the digital world.