E-Consultations: A Review of Current Practice and a Proposal for Opening Up the Process

Abstract : Information and communication technologies have altered the relations between the political system and citizens. Policy-formulation is enhanced by e-consultations that extend the knowledge base and the legitimacy of policy-making. However, current e-consultation practice in the EU falls short of the potential. The paper proposes a deliberative turn, the use of special purpose technologies and the integration of social media discourse into the consultation process as means to further open it up and to strengthen the connection between government and citizens.