Participate instead of just running along

Young people are not only demonstrating their political commitment, but also how digital media can be used for social and political processes. Information, networking and co-design: Social media such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, but also online participation platforms and forums play an essential role in digital democracy.

The digital world opens up unprecedented opportunities for interaction. It transports information quite directly and creates diverse participation, especially through the multifaceted possibilities of linking. However, global access and information alone do not create democracy. After all, democracy is based on the participation of all citizens in political life. Digital technologies can support this process and make it more transparent. They can facilitate decision-making processes, enliven communities and stimulate initiatives that then become visible in a completely analog way, for example in the form of demonstrations.

One term that is appearing more and more frequently in this context is eParticipation. However, the term eParticipation only summarizes various types and forms of democratic participation, involvement and co-determination. The term eParticipation, on the other hand, refers to all approaches that government institutions use to digitally involve citizens. Citizens can submit petitions, draft legislation or collect signatures for citizens' petitions electronically.

There are many forms of active participation. Personal interests, hobbies, healthcare, cultural development or civic engagement - in all areas, the digital world supports communication and coordination. Today, for example, it is almost effortless to participate in signature campaigns or to get involved in environmental, human rights or self-help groups.

Where signatures used to be collected in pedestrian zones, blogs and social media channels now call for digital opinion-making. Platforms such as openpetition.de or change.org are committed to simplifying and further developing the instruments of participatory democracy. Here, the form fields are often already prepared - and a few clicks later, the petition is signed.

At first glance, online petitions make the world a simpler place. However, digital outrage waves can quickly arise and disappear just as quickly. Part of a digital democracy is therefore dealing with the enormous diversity of opinions, positions and information, evaluating them and forming one's own opinion from them.

Digital democracy is not just a 50-meter race, but much more than signing an online petition. This is demonstrated by the #fridaysforfuture movement, among others: If you have demands and proposals for relevant social and political issues, you have to organize majorities and create longer-term attention for your concerns. After all, a democracy thrives on the commitment and responsibility that its citizens assume for themselves and others in the long term.

Read more in the dossier “Digital Participation”

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