Uploading democracy. A Case Study of the Evolution of Participation through Technology.

Francesca Bernadetta ALETTO

Master's thesis

Uploading democracy. The evolution of democratic participation through technology.

Abstract:

In recent decades, the idea of more participatory democracy has resulted in the creation of online platforms with different purposes. The European Union has taken an interest in the issue and recognized it as an interesting way to add a human factor to Smart City. However, although there have been several experiments, primarily by private individuals, there are no particular academic studies in this regard. Today it is difficult to understand if these platforms work effectively and improve participatory initiatives. There is a lack of studies that allow us to understand whom these initiatives are acting on concretely and their impact. This thesis aims to investigate precisely these aspects. To do this, an initiative was created, BresciaLiquida, which would re-propose the participatory model of the municipal initiative, Un Filo Naturale, on the online platform (adhocracy.plus). The goal of the two initiatives was to involve citizens in delineating areas to be regenerated in an eco-sustainable way and in designing these future spaces. The incentive to participate is that the ideas deemed best by the municipality will then be implemented. Thanks to the comparison between the two projects, it was possible to verify the efficiency of the initiatives. The study focused on compliance with smart cities' participatory initiatives, the quantity and heterogeneity of the participants and the impact that the study had on the participants on a personal level. The results show that the online initiative attracted more people than the municipal initiative. The most significant differences lie in the age and civic engagement of the participants. However, both initiatives need more visibility for more people to be interested and participate. Other problems raised by the participants are transparency and lack of trust in the institution.

Abstract:

In recent decades, the idea of more participatory democracy has resulted in the creation of online platforms with different purposes. The European Union has taken an interest in the issue and recognized it as an interesting way to add a human factor to Smart City. However, although there have been several experiments, primarily by private individuals, there are no particular academic studies in this regard. Today it is difficult to understand if these platforms work effectively and improve participatory initiatives. There is a lack of studies that allow us to understand whom these initiatives are acting on concretely and their impact. This thesis aims to investigate precisely these aspects. To do this, an initiative was created, BresciaLiquida, which would re-propose the participatory model of the municipal initiative, Un Filo Naturale, on the online platform (adhocracy.plus). The goal of the two initiatives was to involve citizens in delineating areas to be regenerated in an eco-sustainable way and in designing these future spaces. The incentive to participate is that the ideas deemed best by the municipality will then be implemented. Thanks to the comparison between the two projects, it was possible to verify the efficiency of the initiatives. The study focused on compliance with smart cities' participatory initiatives, the quantity and heterogeneity of the participants and the impact that the study had on the participants on a personal level. The results show that the online initiative attracted more people than the municipal initiative. The most significant differences lie in the age and civic engagement of the participants. However, both initiatives need more visibility for more people to be interested and participate. Other problems raised by the participants are transparency and lack of trust in the institution.

Keywords

Participatory Democracy, Online platforms for Political Participation, Sustainability, Participation, Brescia.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 31. 7. 2022

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. et Mgr. Jakub Lysek, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Humanities / Euroculture