Participação política e Internet: meios e oportunidades digitais de participação civil na democracia contemporânea, com um estudo do caso do Estado Brasileiro

• Ano de defesa: 2008
• Autor(a) principal: Marques, Francisco Paulo Jamil Almeida
• Tipo de documento: Tese
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Palavras-chave em Português: Comunicação; Democracia; Internet; Participação; Mass Communication; Democracy; Participation
• Link de acesso: http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/671

This study examines the opportunities of political participation offered by institutions of the Brazilian state to the citizens through digital communication. First, different perspectives in democratic theory are presented to address the question of citizens’ political participation; later, one reflects on the importance of citizens' participation as a factor for legitimizing contemporary democracies. Once one realizes the separation between citizens and representatives' political role, the thesis discusses the need for reform in certain points of institutional design of the democratic state. This reform is necessary in order to redefine the manner in which citizens participate in the political world. This work then proposes the adoption of participatory mechanisms able to provide information, motivation and channels of political influence for citizens in the political realm. The mass media are key in the process via highlighting important values associated with democracy as well as promoting decision-making processes that encourage citizens' participation. When looking specifically at the role of the Internet in democracy, this thesis argues that it is necessary to provide ways to correct certain problems in democracy; therefore, one details a model for resources that will encourage participation in the digital environment. Further, the thesis examines how the Brazilian House of Representatives and the Brazilian Presidency employ digital mechanisms to improve citizen's political involvement. The main factors affecting the willingness of these institutions to use the digital tools and the consequences that may arise from those already used are examined. The thesis concludes that the digital media should be used in order to help resolve some difficulties afflicting the contemporary democratic process. The development and adoption of digital mechanisms for participation, although encouraged, must be seen as only one part of a broader project to incorporate citizens in political environment.