15.3 Technological advancements and their impact on governance
3 min read•july 23, 2024
Technology is reshaping governance in the Middle East. Digital tools boost , allowing citizens to access government info and watch proceedings online. This empowers people to monitor officials and hold them accountable.
However, challenges arise. grow as governments collect personal data. Unequal access to tech widens the . Balancing the benefits of with protecting citizens' rights is crucial for the region's political future.
Impact of Technology on Governance in the Middle East
Digital technologies for government transparency
Top images from around the web for Digital technologies for government transparency
#opengov (publicity, accountability, transparency) venn di… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
How government digital transformation is rapidly increasing View original
Is this image relevant?
Open Government: Transparency and Accountability Explained | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
Is this image relevant?
#opengov (publicity, accountability, transparency) venn di… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
How government digital transformation is rapidly increasing View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Digital technologies for government transparency
#opengov (publicity, accountability, transparency) venn di… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
How government digital transformation is rapidly increasing View original
Is this image relevant?
Open Government: Transparency and Accountability Explained | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original
Is this image relevant?
#opengov (publicity, accountability, transparency) venn di… | Flickr View original
Is this image relevant?
How government digital transformation is rapidly increasing View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
improve government transparency by enabling online publication of government documents, budgets, and policies allowing citizens to easily access and review official information
Live-streaming of government meetings and proceedings through digital platforms enhances transparency by providing real-time access to decision-making processes (parliamentary sessions, committee hearings)
Online access to public records and information empowers citizens to monitor government activities, track spending, and hold officials accountable for their actions
Challenges of technology in governance
Misuse of personal data collected by government agencies raises privacy concerns as citizens' sensitive information may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, leaks, or exploitation
Surveillance and monitoring of citizens' online activities by governments infringe upon individual privacy rights and can lead to self-censorship and suppression of dissent
Robust and regulations are necessary to safeguard citizens' privacy rights and ensure that personal data is collected, stored, and used in a secure and ethical manner
Unequal access to internet connectivity and digital devices can exclude marginalized communities from participating in e-governance initiatives, exacerbating the digital divide and social inequalities
Lack of skills hinders citizens' ability to engage with online government services and platforms, limiting their participation in e-governance and decision-making processes
Impact of Social Media and Online Activism on Politics in the Middle East
Social media and political activism
platforms (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) played a significant role in mobilizing political protests and dissent during the Arab Spring uprisings, enabling activists to organize and coordinate demonstrations
Social media allows activists to bypass traditional media censorship and disseminate information about and government corruption, raising awareness and garnering support for their causes
helps raise international awareness and support for political causes in the region by amplifying local voices and connecting them with global audiences
Governments have used social media to monitor and track activists, leading to arrests and repression, highlighting the risks faced by online activists in authoritarian contexts
Spread of and propaganda on social media can fuel political polarization and conflict, undermining the credibility and effectiveness of online activism
Technology's role in state-society relations
Increasing use of and platforms may lead to more efficient and responsive governance but also raises concerns about data privacy and security as governments collect and manage citizens' personal information
Growth of online civic engagement and digital activism empowers citizens to demand greater transparency and accountability from their governments, potentially shifting the balance of power in state-society relations
Adoption of emerging technologies (, ) may transform the delivery of public services and the functioning of government institutions, with implications for citizen-state interactions
Political will and capacity of governments to adopt and regulate new technologies in a way that benefits citizens will shape the impact of technology on state-society relations
Ability of and activists to harness technology for social and political change will influence the extent to which technology can be a tool for empowerment and democratization
Resilience of authoritarian regimes in the face of and online dissent will determine the long-term impact of technology on political dynamics in the region