Electronic Republic: Reshaping American Democracy for the Information Age [Paperback]

Lawrence K. Grossman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Can our system adapt to the new form of democracy forming via the electronic age? Will the new communication age usher in a nation governed not by professional politicians but by citizens themselves? Grossman answers these questions and many others clearly and provocatively as he brings the features of our rapidly changing political environment into focus.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lawrence Grossman's The Electronic Republic makes a cautious but ultimately optimistic case for the potential of electronic media to transform democratic government. The author is not blind to the complexities and ironies of a TV-addled electorate, and a government that is both enslaved by and seemingly impervious to popular opinion. But he believes in, and makes a reasonable case for, the power of instant communications--computer networks, TV, telephones, and wireless communications--to remake the democratic process. The final goal he forsees is direct and immediate democracy. Grossman is not the first writer to broach the subject of electronic government, and at times, his optimism seems a bit too pat. But this still doesn't detract from the book's real strength: giving us a view of our democratic institutions and electronic media from the perspective of sweeping historical change.

From Publishers Weekly

Former president of NBC News and ex-CEO of the Public Broadcasting Service, Grossman believes that new, interactive telecommunication technologies are transforming the U.S. into an "electronic republic" with greater direct citizen participation in politics. In his analysis, faxed petitions, E-mail lobbies, 900-number telephone polls and online networks are giving ordinary people a greater voice in the making of public policy. In this scenario, citizens, by using a combination telephone-videoscreen computer, will participate in audio-video phone calls to candidates as well as tele-debates and electronic town meetings; people will vote by tele-computer on election day and make their views known daily regarding laws, agendas and priorities; national referenda on pressing issues could be held easily by putting an electronic keypad in the hands of every voter. Grossman argues that a vigorous multimedia forum in every community could improve the quality and seriousness of political debate. His searching, optimistic analysis gauges the far-reaching implications of new information technology for the democratic process.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Reprint edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140249214
• ISBN-13: 978-0140249217
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Thought Provoking, January 5, 2000

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groundless (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electronic Republic: Reshaping American Democracy for the Information Age (Paperback)

This book provides a great deal of insight into the impact polling and the internet have/can have on our political processes. One of his most important points is: what good does it do to have a public who can participate in the process on a whim and with ease when that public is still not educated about the issues involved? These are issues we should all be concerned about and carefully consider as the internet in particular grows in importance to us and to our political participation. Is this trend towards reliance on the media, instant polling, internet feedback really a good thing? This book provides us with the tools to find the answer ourselves. A great, thought provoking book who's issues should be carefully weighed as we consider voting over the internet and reliance upon public opinion polls.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A serious appraisal of civil society in the Information Age, December 1, 1997

By 

Wendy Bay Lewis "Career Coach" (Bozeman, MT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Electronic Republic: Reshaping American Democracy for the Information Age (Paperback)

Few books on "wired" subjects focus as intensely as this one on the content of electronic media and its impact on democracy. Grossman gives compelling suggestions for reinvigorating democracy by improving the delivery of information and the involvement of citizens through electornic communications. Very well-written and instructive with plenty of suggestions for further reading. Fascinating review of the parallel history of democracy and the media in this country, as well as the earliest democractic institutions in ancient Athens.