Revitalizing Democracy in the ommunications Era Summer 1986 RAIN Page 27 by Duane Elgin and Ann Niehaus* The U.S. democracy is at a turning point, and the ability to communicate effectively will play a pivotal role in determining our destiny. To build a strong democracy, we must move from the Information Era (with its one-way flow of information, or monologue) into the Communications Era (with a two-way flow of information, or dialogue). This article discusses this transition from two perspectives. First, it discusses the challenges we face in building a communicating democracy capable of responding tourgent domestic and global problems. Second, it presents a practical response that takes full advantage of new communications technologies capable of transforming citizen dialogue: Electronic Town Meetings. The Challenges: Building a Communicating Democracy • Effective power in a modern democracy is the power to communicate effectively. Without effective communication among individuals and communities, there is relatively uninformed choice amoung citizens. This is the case today. * With editing contribuJions by Carol Dilfer, Ted Beck£r, and Frank Nuessle. ©May, 1986 Duane Elgin and Ann Niehaus, All Rights Reserved
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