IT as an instrument for democratization of parliamentary activities: Latin American practice

Abstract

Latin America has a favorable political and legal environment for the introduction of democratic innovations in the activities of public authorities. The use of information technology is seen as one of the key elements of democratization processes. Despite the relatively low level of Internet penetration and the crisis of confidence in political institutions the parliaments of these countries have been quite consistent in opening up access to their activities to citizens. The article analyzes the practices of the e-citizenship portal of the Brazilian Senate and the Peruvian Virtual Parliament, where for a long time on a systematic and regular basis citizens take part in the lawmaking process.