Information strategies and democracy

Abstract

Many attempts have been made to define the concept of democracy. These definitions are usually accompanied by certain basic ideas such as that of self-government by and for the people (i.e the state is a res publica and not the dominium of the people). The problem with this and similar definitions is that they don't reflect a true and valid picture of a political reality, but rather something like an abstract ideal for which a working realization is envisaged. To this could be added that experience with democratic systems have shown that the formal system of determining the formation of the collective will is not sufficient for guaranteeing democratic life as such. One of the consequences from this recognition is that the formal rule of voting and holding elections is not by itself sufficient for granting the realization of democratic ideals; it must be accompanied by an effective system of discourse about political and social questions, by transparency of public relations and by appropriate access to relevant information. It is the intention of the author to indicate what relevant information in a true democracy is and the negative results of withholding such information.