Should Democracy Online be Quick, Strong, or Thin?

          The article “Should Democracy Online be Quick, Strong or Thin?”[1] by Joachim Astrom appeared in the January 2001 issue of Communications of the ACM.  The author discusses how the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can impact democracy. He provides “three models representing three different democratic ideals”[2], quick, strong and thin democracy.

            In quick democracy the representative democracy would be replaced or significantly altered by the use of ICT. All citizens would have direct participation in their government since their votes could be tallied quickly using ICT.  This type of democracy assumes that all citizens are capable of making informed decisions.

            Strong democracy requires active participation by citizens. It proposes that all citizens be informed and involved in the political process.  ICT would provide forums where topics could be discussed.

            Thin democracy unlike the previous two models, discourages informed decision making and active participation by citizens. Citizens cast votes for an elite leader. The votes are based on a skeletal agenda proposed by the leader.  Leaders are not accountable to the public, the exception being when matters concern decisions that impact public services. ICP is used by this system to disseminate information, provide feedback and make information available to the leaders.