Impact of Technology
The technology can also be used to simulate various outcomes and to understand the impact of various decisions. For example, rhetoric about cuts to social programs for deficit reduction is easy. Through simulating the impact of cuts on other aspects of the economy, various demographic and racial groups, lawmakers, and other stakeholders can come to a deeper understanding of the impact of legislation on complex systems.
While the debates regarding networks and the democratic process rage on, more far-reaching issues are posed. Democracy in many Western countries is stagnating, some would say atrophying. Voter cynicism is at an all- time high. Political corruption in high places is unabated. Governments everywhere seem ineffective and out of touch.
Yet at the same time “marketplace” democratic processes are surging. Instant polling is already an everyday phenomenon, and by many accounts it is creating a hyperdemocracy in which elected leaders are buffeted daily by the capricious winds of pollsters and the public mood. Superficial electronic democracy is used daily to make consumers and voters sovereign. .Ve vote with our dollars or our opinions, guiding the decisions of CEOs and politicians. Yet, all of this responsiveness to the “will of the people” has failed. It has failed to overcome political alienation and cynicism. Notwithstanding the laudable efforts of some government leaders, it has failed to create flexible, responsive, or efficient government. It has failed to renew our political parties or the ideologies that guide them. Today’s publicity- and feedback-driven democratic institutions are in a deep crisis of credibility and functionality.
