A. Skertsos: The Challenges of Digital Technology for Representative Democracy

For the modern democracy and the threats it faces, at the same time, and for the possibilities that digital technology can (contribute) to it, writes the Minister of State ‘Akis Skertsos in the newspaper “Kathimerini”.

“The founding fathers of modern democracies – from Mill and Tocqueville to Smith – had warned that representative democracy is always fragile and” unfortunately never enough. ” “, notes in an introductory explanation, immediately after, the” why “:

“Perhaps because liberal democracy is the only political system that allows and encourages the free expression and judgment of citizens. The questioning of government decisions and state processes. And the constant control of the 3 powers through specific institutional counterweights. Its comparative advantage over others political systems is at the same time its weakness.

“This is how the political paradox arises, while trust is an integral part of the popular mandate we give to those we elect to make decisions on our behalf, so that the capital of trust is almost always in deficit in most modern democracies.”

Specializing then, it focuses on the additional “significant challenges” that modern democracies are called upon to address today:

“Challenging them in the eyes of the people by more and more authoritarian regimes and leaders who have the ability, precisely because they are authoritarian and nowhere to be held accountable, to make and enforce decisions much faster than a democracy.”

“The further erosion of the confidence of working-class and middle-class citizens who see their incomes stagnant or even declining when economic growth is constantly shifting to investment destinations with cheaper labor costs.”

And, finally, “the rapid advancement of digital technology which, because of its speed, is now in clear opposition to the slower processes that a representative democracy necessarily follows.”

Continuing his article in the latter, the Minister of State writes: “Modern postmodern mass democracies suffer from the disease of ‘instant gratification.’ That is, the desire of their citizens to have everything and have it now, something However, representative democracy is by nature slower because it takes place through representatives and is limited by institutional counterweights and constant scrutiny.

So how does modern representative democracy respond to the above challenges? And how can she reinvent herself so as not to become politically out of date? “, He asks and continues:

“In the right hands and with the right legal framework to protect personal data, digital technology is not a threat to democracies but an opportunity. Because it can empower them with more efficiency, speed and participation and thus ultimately increase public confidence in political institutions.

How; Digital technology can bring citizens closer to their representatives, using tools of participatory democracy and consultation that are currently lacking. At the community level, participatory democracy is much more feasible.

It can improve the quality and speed of public services, minimizing bureaucracy. “Gov.gr is the most vivid example of a new relationship of trust with our state”, he emphasizes at the same time noting that “digital data analysis can also reduce inequalities with policies that are more targeted at really vulnerable groups and regions of the country. Education, health, safety, financial aid can become much more effective if we analyze data from school performance, health practices, crime reports, tax returns. Data that hides a huge wealth of information and until recently remained unused in the hands of public services.

Finally, digital technology can promote international cooperation in tackling global challenges such as terrorism, health crises and climate change. “The miracle of the coronavirus vaccine would not have happened without her help”, is another example that A. Skertsos invokes and concludes:

“The greatest danger to modern democracies stems from the complacency that inevitably brings with it democratic and economic prosperity.

As Europeans we are fortunate to live in a political Union with the most comprehensive and democratic set of rules for the use of data and technology. “With more responsibility, controls and balances, with respect for personal data protection, we can all reap the benefits of technology and at the same time improve and reinvent our democracies.”

Source: AMPE