Resumen

CHACIN FUENMAYOR, Ronald de Jesús. Certain Notions in Relation to Electronic Democracy. Frónesis [online]. 2005, vol.12, n.3, pp.95-120. ISSN 1315-6268.

New technological advances in the area of communication and information are patented in present day society, and have strong implications in economic, social, political and judicial areas among others. This paper centres on political implications, concretely on the impact of technological changes and advances in the exercise of political rights, and what has also been called electronic democracy, digital democracy, or cyber democracy. The objective is to analyze some fundamental notions of this type of democracy, beginning with contemporary democratic doctrine. Some applications of technology in the exercise of democratic rights are described. Finally a balance as to the advantages and dangers to be overcome in the development of new technology in the political environment is attempted. The conclusion is that the new technologies constitute a vast field for the deep study of democracy, if they are utilized according to democratic guidelines and values, such as liberty and universality among others, and if they are contained within the diverse contemporary democratic theories. But, if they do not overcome technological inequalities, and if their applications are not regulated, the new technological and political reality could promote elite groups into power and violate the rights of citizens, which is the bastion of any democratic government.

Palabras clave : Democracy; new technologies; advances; dangers.