DOWNLOADING DEMOCRACY - INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES INLOCAL-POLITICS

This article considers recent developments in information and communic ation technologies (ICTs), including the creation of a so-called 'info rmation superhighway', and examines their relevance to the enhancement of democratic politics. The article begins with a brief overview of w hat is meant by the 'information superhighway' and what is distinctive about the technologies that comprise it. It then considers the charac teristics of democracy and the ways in which information and communica tion technologies can contribute to their enhancement. It concludes by arguing that ICTs can contribute to democratic processes provided tha t a number of issues are addressed and barriers overcome.