Politics and Power

The aim of this essay is to elucidate the impact of the digital divide on the democracy and government of south. Furthermore, all concepts subordinate to the discourse – digital divide, e-democracy and e-government – will be delineated.

The New Digital Divide _Dana Blankenhorn 

The digital divide is not a concept endemic to one particular region. The implications of a digital divide further expand into politics, imprinting its influence on governments as well as the political system within a region. Furthermore, the digital divide can be seen a global network barrier that divides societies technological – societies being rural and urban.

The digital divide refers to a fissure in the spread of technology. Therefore the world can be seen as having two kinds of occupants: those who have access to information technology, such as the people in urban areas and those who do not have access to information technology. The latter is disadvantaged because they do not have 1: the ability to use modern information technology, and 2: They do not have means of acquiring new information almost spontaneously like people with access to IT in urban areas. “For example, a 1999 study showed that 86% of Internet delivery was to the 20 largest cities” (Margret. 2005). With the rise, and density of information technology, two new concepts we’re birthed: e-government and e-democracy.

E-government is the provision of government information and service by means of the internet and other computer sources (dictionary.com. 2009). This definition extends to, interface involving denizens and the government, in which, the Government would communicate with citizens in order to know their grievances or satisfaction with the governance. In South Africa it is common practice for the government to display statements based on government spending, in order to insure that no money is being over spent (however, corruption is an issue). Furthermore, the government provides information on how to obtain services such as child grant, citizenship and how to deal with the law. The disadvantage, however, is that people in the rural areas cannot access this information wirelessly. They have to wait to be informed Therefore, making eGovernment another element that contributes to the digital divide.

eDemocracy exists as a concept to raise the partaking of citizens in social, economic and political debates and decision making through electronic communication mediums – social networks particularly. eDemocracy reflects on Democracy which seeks to fulfil the idea of “peoples rule” in which Government policies are based on the needs of the people . The disadvantage of eDemocracy is the over-saturation of opinions – especially when they are opposing. Furthermore, (Nkosi. 2013) a general apathy to participate contributes to the disadvantages. As, some people think that there is not much to gain from engaging in discussion about government or with interaction with the government, and those without the means to communicate electronically are left bellowing in the ignorance about the occurrences in the country and their voices are not heard.

eGovernment and eDemocracy are both , in a sense practical. However the implications are not as far reaching as they should be because they both contribute to the digital divide here in South Africa. On the one hand, urban areas have access to communication mediums which allow for participation of the civil society in government. With freedom of speech being the back bone eDemocracy has a firm foundation in that people are free to voice their discontent with the system at any given time as long as it is relevant to South Africa. However, the problem begins with the lack of access to the internet in rural areas. This hinders the platform for debate as they will not be able to participate in discussions. For example, the debate about the secrecy bill has faced much opposition on the internet and those with the utensils to communicate their frustration with the possible implementation do so... However, people in the rural areas will not be able to engage in the debate because the digital divide has disadvantaged them.

The digital divide has polarized South Africa, just as it implicates. Therefore excluding people from important issues in and around the country, especially in places where the technology is not present

Bibliography

Dictionary.com. 2013. E-government. available http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/E-Government. [ Accessed 19 April 2013]

Mphidi, Hamilton. Digital divide and e-governance

In South Africa.  http://www.ais.up.ac.za/digi/docs/mphidi_present.pdf.  [ Accessed 19 April 2013]

Rousse, Margret. 2005. Digital divide. Available http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/digital-divide.  [ Accessed 19 April 2013]

South African Government services.. 2013.  South African Government services.  availabe http://www.services.gov.za/services/content/Home/en_ZA. [Accessed 19 April 2013]

Tshabalala, N. 2013. Interview. Interviewed by C. Ncube. Interminable exegesis. CarlosNcube.blogspot.com