Collaborative e-democracy

This concept, first introduced at international academic conferences in 2009, offers a pathway for citizens to directly or indirectly engage in policymaking.

Steven Brams and Peter Fishburn describe it as an "innovative way to engage citizens in the democratic process," that potentially makes government "more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people.

As Steven Brams and Peter Fishburn suggest, "collaborative e-democracy can help to ensure that all voices are heard, and that decisions are made in the best interests of the community.

The cycle of each policy begins with the identification of a common issue or objective by the collective participants - citizens, experts, and proxy representatives.

As Steven Brams and Peter Fishburn argue, "collaborative e-democracy can help to ensure that all voices are heard, and that decisions are made in the best interests of the community.

Graphic illustrating the interconnected nature of a collaborative e-democracy. Green arrows indicate the pathways of participation.
Schematic of a collaborative e-democracy, showing the pathways of citizen participation either directly or through proxy representatives within diverse policy domains.