Power to the People-Unintended Effects of ICTs in Democracies

摘要

The author argues that much as ICTs are enablers for democracy, their practices are not always as intended. This paper explores factors that lead to unintended effects and the impact of such unintended effects on democracies. The unintended effects may turn out to be either positive or negative. Online case studies (such as mailing lists, social networks and online newspapers) and document analysis of previous research studies are used to examine the unintended effects. Case studies are drawn from Malawi.