«E-Democracy in the Eastern Partnership Countries»
Students Name: Zareshniuk Marta Yuriivna
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: International Relations
Institute: Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Mode of Study: part
Academic Year: 2023-2024 н.р.
Language of Defence: англійська
Abstract: E-democracy encompasses various tools that utilize different sources of information, including traditional speech technologies such as television and radio, as well as new interactive devices and programs with internet support. These tools establish a platform for the public to express their issues, interests, and viewpoints. The public can also provide evidence influencing decision-making processes at various levels, ranging from local to national or global. E-democracy utilizes various technologies, including both traditional and interactive ones such as polling systems. These technologies provide a platform for a wide range of stakeholders to access information and contribute via the internet. Additionally, large groups can actively participate in public meetings, using electronic voting devices and providing real-time input [4]. The subject of the research is the means and methods of implementing e-democracy in the countries of the Eastern Partnership, along with its challenges and prospects for development. The object of the study is e-democracy in the countries of the Eastern Partnership. The aim of the study is to explore the features, manifestations, and mechanisms of e-democracy in the countries of the Eastern Partnership. The master’s thesis examines e-democracy in the Eastern Partnership countries. The optimal strategies for digitalization are investigated, as well as the problems and risks associated with the implementation of e-democracy in these countries are identified. Attention is focused on the analysis of the current state of e-democracy in the Eastern Partnership countries. It is established that there is a significant development gap between countries, which can be divided into two groups of countries. The first group includes Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, countries in transition, which have a more developed range of e-democracy forms. The second group includes Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, which are authoritarian regimes that do not prioritize the introduction of e-democracy. The paper highlights the current indicators of the Electronic Democracy Development Index (EGDI) [2], the Eastern Partnership Index (Digital and Information society) [1], and the Freedom House Democracy Scorecard [3]. The negative impact of new threats to e-democracy in the Eastern Partnership countries, including Russian military aggression, cyber attacks, propaganda, mass migration, lack of digital literacy, limited access to the Internet, information interference, and economic pressure from external actors, is identified. The biggest challenge is Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its significant impact on some of the Eastern Partnership countries. This paper outlines three possible scenarios for the further development of e-democracy in the Eastern Partnership countries. Scenario 1 - assumes that all EaP countries will demonstrate a high level of e-democracy development, develop new programs and online applications to improve interaction with the state. This development will create better conditions for the use of online technologies, allowing citizens to gain deeper knowledge and expand the possibilities of using online platforms. Scenario 2 - includes the integration of the Associated Trio countries into the European Union, which will lead to a significant development of e-democracy and general democracy. The countries will cooperate in the field of digitalization, creating favorable conditions for the development of e-democracy. The other three countries may experience difficulties due to authoritarianism and dependence on Russia, which will slow down the development of democracy and increase pressure from Russia.Scenario 3 - all EaP countries may stop developing e-democracy, annul the previously achieved successes and initiatives created by promising Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus. Among the main innovations is the development of cooperation in the military sphere. Scenario 2: The initiative continues to function in its current mode and serves as a bridge between the two groups of EaP countries. Scenario 3. The initiative continues to function exclusively [5]. Keywords: e-democracy, internet, technology, digitization, access, electronic devices, Eastern Partnership, scenario. References. 1. Countries and Territories. Freedom House. https://freedomhouse.org/countries/nationstransit/scores?sort=desc&order=Country 2. Digital democracy. (2021, 20 грудня). Internet Policy Review. https://policyreview.info/articles/analysis/digital-democracy 3. Eastern Partnership Index | Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum |. https://eap-csf.eu/eastern-partnership-index/#section-fillup-1 4. E-Government Development Index.. EU E-government Knowledgebase. https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/180-Ukraine 5. Khutkyy, D. (2019, 1 червня). Electronic Democracy in Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. Patterns and Comparative Perspectives. De Gruyter. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/soeu-2019-0017/html