Hansard Society

Programmes

Digital Democracy

Exploring the social and political impacts of digital media

eDemocracy

Since 1997 the Hansard Society's Digital Democracy Programme has led the way in understanding how digital media affect and transform the way democracy works. We were the first dedicated research unit to explore the political and social impact of information and communications technology (ICT). Our research, networks and experience mean that we keep our finger on the pulse of this fast changing area and our reputation for impartiality means that we are a trusted partner and a contributor to the wider debate.

From the internet's impact on parliament, to better government engagement with citizens and the potential for civil society to harness digital media, our thought-leading research has been a formative part of an emergent digital Britain. Today, we undertake research and produce publications and commentaries that deliver value and push the boundaries of digital democracy.

Our work is about democratic innovation. Focusing on online political communication and citizen engagement, our work explores the many faces of digital inclusion, citizen engagement, political campaigning and parliamentary process.

Our work is known for its practical, relevant and timely results and is highly valued by the key decision makers and influencers across parliament, central and local government - nationally and internationally. Our work influences policy and processes, is used by practitioners and academics and contributes not only to the scholarly debate but to practical solutions that enhance democracy: We seek to understand and to reshape civic and political spaces as they are affected by digital media.

View RSS feed

The last blog...

This is my last blog as Director of the Digital Democracy Programme. After three and half years I'm heading to new pastures, or rather old ones... back to the world of the independent consultant, this time London-based but still globally focussed. When ...
Parliamentary Broadcasting Agreement versus global media and the internet

There's been a bit of talk in the media over the last few days about a recent edition of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . The interest comes from Channel 4's decision not to show a particular internationally syndicated episode because it contained ...
Digital Paper: Gender and Digital Politics

A new Digital Paper, Gender and Digital Politics, published today by the Hansard Society, examines the online political participation of women and men and concludes that the gender imbalance online is the result of wider political exclusion, not digital exclusion. Gender and Digital Politics examines overall levels of internet access and activity and finds generally similar levels across the genders. However, when it comes to more active online political participation, such as writing blog posts or commenting on blogs, the figures are usually male dominated.
The Digital Agenda for Change: Where are we one year on?

The coalition government, like its predecessor, strongly advocated for open and transparent government. Before the last election, Tim Berners-Lee’s work led to the establishment of a government data store and government efforts since May 2010 have expanded this. We have seen the publication of not just central government spending in machine readable formats but the creation of a requirement for local government to follow suit. This move mirrors Obama’s first Presidential proclamation, a decree for open data, but in the US we are now starting to sense a retrenchment and a questioning of both the value and cost. Where advocates argue for the value of transparency and the power of crowd-sourcing, sceptics suggest it is simply satisfying a battalion of arm-chair auditors.
Can e-Participation contribute to a new European public sphere?

Digital tools offer us many new opportunities to engage with a European public. We now see a much tighter integration between participation tools and existing digital social spaces that allow for more dynamic forms of communication. In an age where Facebook connects, Twitter coordinates and YouTube stands testimony to the result, there is no space for the public institutions of Europe to be complacent and no time to ‘gold plate’ solutions. In a time of political disconnect, the internet and e-participation offers a window of opportunity to embrace and nurture a new European public sphere that will be lost if institutions do not take bold steps now.
Social Media and the New Arab Spring

Across North Africa and the Middle East we are witnessing a rising tide of citizen-led protest against autocratic and corrupt regimes. In echoes of the Czech Spring of 1968 and the tumultuous wave of change that swept across Eastern Europe during the 1990s, there is a real feeling that change is real, can happen and can be sustained. There is a new and emergent spirit of pan-Arabism, with activists in one country following and gaining confidence (and support) from those in others. There is nothing new in this; we have seen such movements before during the 1960s. Some of the countries that are today rising up for change were the same ones who were brutally repressed 50 years ago. The difference between then and now is the rise of digital media.
Digital Democracy in Scotland and Wales: Lagging or Leading?

When looking at digital democracy, a lot of focus is placed on efforts around how people interact with those in Westminster. Less emphasis is placed on the devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales, and it is important that we take stock of the goings on around digital democracy in these areas.
e-Petitions a Step Closer for Parliament

Following the demise of 10 Downing Street’s e-Petitions system, the government has announced that it intends to press ahead with plans for e-petitioning of Parliament to be introduced and for this to lead to debates in the House of Commons. Whilst this is not as straight forward as the government publicity suggests – not least, no government is able to compel Parliament – it’s a good sign that we might finally end up with a modern, responsive petitioning system that is fit for purpose in the 21st Century.
The internet and the 2010 election

With contributions from some key election observers and practitioners, this short volume sets out to cut through some of the hype that surrounded the election and provide some empirical evidence of the internet's place in the election and also assess what realistically we might expect from the internet. Edited by Rachel Gibson, Andy Williamson and Stephen Ward and with contributions from Mark Pack, Matthew McGregor and Will Straw, this volume lifts the lid on what really happened online and stands as a reference on the 2010 election and an informative guide to anyone interested in political campaigning online.
Online Campaigning: 10 Lessons from the General Election

The internet played an importantpart in the 2010 election campaign but attempts to build up its significance and importance were misguided and naïve. Behind the scenes, it was database management and email that were vital. In the public domain, party websites and third-party sites failed to excite the public but social media and existing online communities played important roles. The internet was not a game changer but given its widespread adoption and increasing media convergence it was important, allowing for the creation of resources that could successfully be deployed alongside other traditional methods.