E-Democracy and Collaborative Lawmaking: The Discussion of the Political Reform in Brazil

Authors

  • Patricia Gonçalves da Conceição Rossini Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Vanessa Veiga de Oliveira Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Keywords:

political participation, e-democracy, online citizenship, political communication, Brazilian politics

Abstract

Democratic governments are increasingly adopting the Internet to foster political participation. With a varied array of e-consultation, e-deliberation, and e-participation initiatives, the Internet provides opportunities for citizens to engage with political institutions in several ways. This article contributes to this literature by analyzing a Brazilian case, the House of Representatives’ Portal E-Democracia—an initiative that promotes citizen participation in lawmaking issues. We analyze how citizens engaged in the discussions around the political reform agenda, an important issue and a response to social movements and protests in June 2013. We specifically look into the dynamics of interaction and the heterogeneity and civility of these discussions. We also investigate whether participants were interested in providing solutions to the issues at stake.

Author Biographies

Patricia Gonçalves da Conceição Rossini, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Patrícia Gonçalves C. Rossini is a PhD Candidate at the Communications Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais – Brazil, and Researcher at the Media and Public Sphere Group - EME/UFMG, and Research the Center for Computational and Data Sciences (CCDS) at Syracuse University.

Vanessa Veiga de Oliveira, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Vanessa Veiga de Oliveira is a Ph.D Student at the Communications Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais – Brazil, and Researcher at the Media and Public Sphere Group - EME/UFMG. 

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Published

2016-09-30

Issue

Vol. 10 (2016)

Section

Articles

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