Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
Presentation by Steven L. Clift
clift@freenet.msp.mn.us
Copyright 1997
http://freenet.msp.mn.us/people/clift
This presentation is available online at:
http://www.e-democracy.org/do/library/
Jump to first page
Conclusion

In their own communities, it
is time for people to build
“civic life” both online and
off-line through the use of
the information technology
and networks.
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Jump to first page
Tale of Twin Cities 2005
E-mail In-box

Tamara B. in Minneapolis






Headlines New York Times
and Minneapolis StarTribune
National Arts Newsletter
Traffic Report
Overdue Parking Ticket
Reminder
Women’s Ice Fishing Network
Personal Messages from
Family and Friends
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Jump to first page
Tale of Twin Cities 2005
E-mail In-box

Mick S. In St.Paul






Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift

St. Paul Pioneer Press
Headlines
Neighborhood Press
Stories
Bus Arrival Time Update
Parent’s School
Discussion
City Issues Forum
Neighborhood Safety
Committee Messages
Personal Messages from
Family, Friends, and
Neighbors
Jump to first page
Tale of Twin Cities 2005
E-mail In-box - Geography Matters
Local Community Use of the Internet
Flips Expectations Upside Down
 Expectation: The Internet is global
and allows individuals to gather based
on special and unique interests.
 New Emphasis: The Internet is also
local and helps people build
community and democracy in the
common interest.
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do  We must swim upstream to grow
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
stronger.

Jump to first page
Putting Pen to Paper: Electronic
Democracy, Write On!

3 Actor Scenario





Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Government
Private Sector
(Media)
Citizens
Who has the
power?
Who sets the
agenda?

2 Communication
Tools




Paper
Pens
Unlimited Supply
of Paper for All
Only Government
and Private
Sector have Pens
and therefore ...
Jump to first page
Putting Pen to Paper: Electronic
Democracy, Write On!



Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
… and therefore the ability to be
heard, communicate, organize, set
the agenda, and have power.
“Citizen-based electronic
democracy” is about getting “pens”
to the people.
Ability to distribute messages to
groups is key, must move beyond
the World Wide Warehouse.
Jump to first page
Democracy Online Today

Current Democracy Online Contributions
Political
Organizations
Private
Sector
Government
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Media and
Commercial
Content
What is missing?
Jump to first page
Democracy Online Today




Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Current interests use the Internet
to further their interests, they must
to survive.
Where do the current interests
interact online?
Where will citizens and interests
within democracies interact online?
To move from one-to-many toward
many-to-many communication, we
need the ...
Jump to first page
Democracy Online Future

Democracy Online with an Interactive
Public Commons
Political
Organizations
Civic
Government Participation
Center
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift

Private
Sector
Media and
Commercial
Content
We must build them one at a time!
Jump to first page
Contributions to Democracy
Online

Government
Provide Extensive Information
Online with User-Focused Systems
and Public Access Points
 Make “Democracy” Information
Fully Available - “Open
Government”
 E-mail to/from Public
 E-mail Information Dissemination
 Use Interactivity and Collaboration
Externally/Internally
 Regulatory Factors and Support
 Local - More Direct Involvement

Government
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Jump to first page
Contributions to Democracy
Online

Media and Commercial Content
Provide News and Information
 Ensure Availability of Political and
Community News at
National/Regional/Local Levels
 Highlight and Cover Other
Democracy Online Resources and
Events - Calendars, Co-Sponsor
 Provide Interactive Online Spaces,
but Collaborate with Other Efforts
 Fight One-Way Mentality and Pure
Advertising “Eye-Ball” Focus

Media and
Commercial
Content
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Jump to first page
Contributions to Democracy
Online

Private Sector
Provide User Connectivity,
Increase Bandwidth, Lower
Costs, and Bring More Users
 Provide and Develop User Tools
 Provide Technical Support
 Embrace Open Standards
 Make Information Tools beyond the

Private Sector
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
WWW, like E-mail Lists, Push Channels,
WWW Conferencing Available to
Community Organizations, Citizen-based
Online Democracy Efforts, and Individuals

Provide Funding to Civic Efforts
(as should the other sectors)
Jump to first page
Contributions to Democracy
Online

Political Organizations
Provide Information About
Positions, Candidates, Advocacy
Efforts, Involvement Opportunities
 Use Tools Strategically to Further
Your Cause
 Involve Organization and
Supporters Directly in Online
Interactive Spaces
 Don’t Use IT to Only Increase the
Level of Political Protest Aimed at
Representative Democracy
 Enhance Participatory Democracy

Political
Organizations
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Jump to first page
Contributions to Democracy
Online

Citizens in the Online Commons
Commit Time to Participate
 Use and Analyze Information
 Produce and Share Own
Information, Ideas, and Opinions
 Communicate Respectfully and
Responsibly
 Help Others Learn
 Start/Volunteer with Citizen-based
Online Democracy Efforts and
Community Networks
 Work with Others to Use Tools
For Public Good at all Levels

Civic
Participation
Center
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life
Civic
Participation
Centers
Minnesota E-Democracy has
been building an interactive
“Public Commons” since
1994.
We have learned a few
lessons, we’d like share our
experiences and learn from
yours.
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Here is how we are using the
Internet to improve
participation in democracy in
Minnesota.
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life

Background


Started in 1994
Mission “… to improve
participation in democracy in
Minnesota through use of
information networks.”




Democracies Online

Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do

Copyright 1997, Steven Clift

World’s first electionoriented WWW site
Non-partisan
Issue Neutral
Non-Profit
Volunteer-based
Small Board
Donated Infostructure

Activities

Election Efforts








1994, 1996,
1997, 1998!
MN-POLITICS
E-Debates
MN-FORUM
Citizen
Participation
Media Guide
Promote
Interaction
In-Person Events
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life
• World-Wide-Web is a “Pull” Medium
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Minnesota
E-Democracy
Citizen
User decides to visit
WWW site each time
http://www.e-democracy.org
Users may:
Something has to attract
each user to our site.
Questions: How do we get
users to come back? How do
we build an interactive
community?
Join MN-DEMOCRACY
Join MN-POLITICS
Read MN-POLITICS
Archive
Visit election year pages
Read about project
Send comments to board
Follow WWW links to
candidates, political
parties, media sites,
other interactive sites
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life
• MN-POLITICS E-mail Lists are
a “Push” MediumDirect
Receivers/
Senders
4
0
0
External
Networks +
User subscribes once
Commitment made
May post via e-mail
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the NewSecondary
Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/doNetworks
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Newspaper/
Radio
Stories
Researcher
Print Out for
Lt. Governor
MN-POLITICS
E-List Server
Holds Addresses
Messages Sent
to 400 Directly
Copy sent to
WWW Archive
Candidate
Around
Capitol/City Hall
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life

MN-POLITICS Examples







Candidates for Governor
and Tobacco Money
Lawson Software
Citizen Legislative Report
Snow Emergencies
Event Announcements
Opinions
Other

MN-POLITICS Facts






Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Started in August 1994
Largest Regional
Political E-mail Forum
Scope limited to MN
Politics
Has Critical Mass for
Participation
~10-15 Posts Daily
On WWW: http://www.edemocracy.org/mn-politics

Mick Souder, List
Manager
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life

MN-POLITICS Lessons




Trusted Neutral Host and Facilitation Essential
Emphasis on Many-to-Many Communication
Geographic Base of Forum Promotes
Community
Rules and Guidelines Important




Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift



Posts not previewed, rules enforced after
complaint - manager/board roles
Two posts per day per person limit
Must sign posts with full name
“Public Meetings” With 400 People - Sooner
or later the Media and Politicians Show Up
Interface with “Real” Politics Key to Success
Balancing Expectations - Opinions vs. “Juice”
More ...
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
Building Civic Life

MN-POLITICS Lessons - Continued






Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift


Message Volume Should Be Constrained, but
Need to Avoid Topical Censorship of Opinions
MN-POLITICS Provides Self-Generating Content
- Something is Always Happening
E-mail is Powerful and A Very Personal Medium
Need to Promote Respectful Communication
Need More Online Spaces - Resource
Limitations
Comments on WWW Conferencing, News
Community Conferencing - Forum Naming
Part of Our Larger Communications Plan - MNDEMOCRACY, ANNOUNCE, MN-FORUM ...
Jump to first page
MNPA
General
Submissions
E-Democracy
Board
Important Role
Minnesota E-Democracy
Information Plan
MN-DEMOCRACY - Major Announcements - 1300 Members
MNPA
Moderators
MN-POLITICS-ANNOUNCE
MN-POLITICS
-DIGEST
Moderated Announcements
600 New Members Estimated
Launch Fall 1997
MNP Manager
100 Members
MN-POLITICS
300 Members
MN-FORUM - Co-Sponsored Organized
Democracies Online
Building Civic
Life on the New Frontier
MN-FORUM
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Event Hosts
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Special Events on SelectedTopic/Guests Via
E-mail with Use of WWW, Membership
increases with each event, Launch w/ MN
State Senate Virtual Hearing
Jump to first page
Minnesota E-Democracy
More Information

Visit Minnesota E-Democracy on
the WWW:


Articles and Papers:



Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
http://www.e-democracy.org
http://www.e-democracy.org/intl/library
Join the MN-DEMOCRACY
announcement-only list for updates
Follow the Democracies Online
Effort:

http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Jump to first page
Conclusion


Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
In their own communities, it
is time for people to build
“civic life” both online and
off-line through the use of
the information technology
and networks.
Contacting Steven Clift


clift@freenet.msp.mn.us
http://freenet.msp.mn.us/people/clift
Jump to first page
Democracies Online

Purpose


Goal

Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do

Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
An international partnership initiative to
promote the development and
sustainability of online civic participation
and democracy efforts across the world.
To build a strong foundation for
improving democracy as democracies
around the world converge with
information networks.
WWW - http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Jump to first page
Democracies Online

Timeline and Support


Host

Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
The project will officially start with its first
year of activities once foundation funding
is obtained. The start up and
development phase will last through the
year 2000.
The Center for Democracy and
Citizenship at the Hubert H. Humphrey
Institute of Public Affairs, University of
Minnesota will house the project.
Jump to first page
Democracies Online

Core Activities - Getting Started




Possible Activities - Future Thoughts

Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
Democracy Notes - Twice Monthly
Electronic Newsletter
Democracies Online Newswire Service “Best-Of” announcements.
Peer Networks - Interactive online spaces
for “builders” from important “sectors.”
Virtual Conferences, DO Association,
Democracy Online World Summit,
Presentation surrounding ITU meeting,
Foundation-Joint Fundraising Effort 20002020?, Funding to Seed Local Efforts
Jump to first page
Democracies Online
Strategic Information Services and Networks
The area of each box represents the proportional range of “users.”
Democracies Online WWW Site
http://www.e-democracy.org/do/
Newswire Service
Moderated “Best Of”
Announcements
4,000 E-mail Subscribers
DO Peer Networks
Multiple Democracy Peer Sectors
From 50 to 200 Members Likely
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
WWW and E-mail Forums
Democracy
Notes
Twice Monthly
E-Newsletter
Active Networking
and Information Tool
10,000 E-mail
Subscribers
Jump to first page
Democracies Online

Democracy Notes - Subscribe Now

Send an e-mail message to:
listserv@tc.umn.edu

Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
In the body of your message, write:
subscribe do-notes Your Name
Jump to first page
In the next few years we will help
shape the foundation for democracy in
the interactive information age.
What should we do today
to improve our democracies tomorrow?
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
What must we do to help them survive?
Jump to first page
Future Slides
The following are slides that I will develop if I
have time and would be used based on
questions:
1. MN-FORUM Plan
2. E-Debate Example
3. Community Conferencing Prototype
4. Global Grid for Community Conferencing
5. Making the Internet a Communities Network
- Geography Matters
Democracies Online
Building Civic Life on the New Frontier
http://www.e-democracy.org/do
Copyright 1997, Steven Clift
6. Community Digital Broadcasts
Jump to first page