The Internet is Good for Democracy
Over the past years, there have been struggles to define policies that democratize the access and usage of the internet. One of the primary reasons for this move is to cut down the aspects of economic and social inequality. The involvement of internet in matters that concern democracy is referred to as E-democracy, internet democracy or digital democracy (Verkhivker, 2018). The internet has created a favourable environment for an individual to practice political self-determination. The practice of including the internet in politics is an inherent requirement for democracy.
The internet can allow a free spread of information faster and effectively than any other medium. In the United States, the internet is one of the busiest resources that provides information about human rights, freedom and even civic development of human personalities. The internet has been used vigorously to enhance freedom of speech. The United States has had many supporters of the government who have used the internet to praise their leaders (Verkhivker, 2018). In the same way, the United States has also had numerous people who have used the internet to express their criticism for the government. In the same line of freedom of speech, the media has had a great platform to disseminate information to the public. Americans have the chance to obtain whichever information they want despite the time of occurrence of the event that resulted in the information. The internet allows one to obtain information dating back for decades. In other words, the internet has been the catalyst for the growth of democracy because it has enhanced free speech, a free inclination to the religion of choice, freedom of assembly, and even the freedom to knowledge and understanding.
There no doubt that most of the countries had democracy early before the introduction of the internet. However, in that case, democracy was much more of a representation where a few individuals are elected to represent the majority (Verkhivker, 2018). They make all major and minor decisions on behalf of the people. America is an example of such a democracy because it is the responsibility of the elected few individuals to make laws and policies on behalf of the public. But with the introduction of the internet, the public has had the opportunity to participate in the processes of making laws and policies through their smartphones, computers and tablets. In that case, democracy is devolved from a few individuals to the general public national wide.
The internet has proved to be the primary source of information and news for the larger population of America. It has seen the internet to provide platforms for holding and conducting political proceedings. The internet has also enhanced democracy and justice because anyone can have access to legal proceedings as they take place. The issue of racism has tolled down significantly due to the use of the internet. Victims of racism, police brutality and sexual assault have found the internet to be among the various media that they can use to air their grievances for the public to know (Verkhivker, 2018). Have in mind that the internet is not limited to the country’s borders, but is access is worldwide. It provides a way for the international communities to chip as they help to fight for democracy. The internet keeps the American citizen updated with all the new events and government actions as they occur. The internet provides homage to online social sites. Americans use social sites to express their praise, opinion and criticism for the government and other political institutions.
Work cited
Verkhivker, Alex. “Is the Internet Bad for Democracy?” Chicago Booth Review, 2018, review.chicagobooth.edu/economics/2018/article/internet-bad-democracy.