Abstract This paper reviews seven articles regarding e-government, i.e. the role and scope of the Internet in providing public service and governance. Issues covered by the paper include the rhetorical and reality of e-government, global considerations, and site liability.
Tags: E-Government, Internet, governance, public service
Abstract This paper focuses on Government to Citizen (G2C) transactions mainly in the US. These include citizens? services and digital democracy. The concept of electronic government is to provide services and information to citizens electronically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As the demand for electronic services increases, governments are challenged to provide these services to citizens. Digital democracy may be defined as any electronic exchange of value in the democratic process. The spectrum includes Online Campaigns, Internet Voting, and Constituency Participation.
What is e-government?
Citizens Services
Digital Democracy
Political Online Campaigning
Disadvantages of Web advertising
Online Fund Raising
Internet Voting
On-line Voting Initiatives
Why Internet voting?
Requirements of an Internet voting system
Security Problems meeting requirements of an Internet voting system
Implementation Problems
Vision
The Impact of the Internet on Democracy
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Digital Divide
Conclusion ? The year 2005
Abstract As the leading provider of networking products for the Internet, Cisco Systems uses e-commerce via the internet. Therefore, according to the paper, Cisco Systems adamantly opposes any government regulation, such as taxing internet traffic, that would impinge on the efficiency and growth of e-commerce. This paper looks at the ways in which Cisco Systems is affected by government regulation.
From the Paper "Other laws and proposed laws also have caused concern for both Cisco Systems and the industry. Both the Congress and several states are considering laws to protect individual privacy on the Internet. Both Cisco and the industry oppose such a law, holding that the industry can be more effective through self-regulation. Another law that has been proposed frequently by some members of Congress and by some states would apply taxation to Internet activity. Both Cisco and the industry argue that taxation would cripple e-commerce just as it is beginning to grow. Thus far, the lawmakers have backed down on taxation proposals for the Internet."
An evaluation of the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) and a discussion on whether it fulfils the objective of content control without censorship.
Abstract This paper examines how, in an Internet=based world, PICS (Platform for Internet Content Selection) uses software that is put as a filter between the individual receiving the information and the online information provider. It describes how PICS is an incredibly flexible and potentially effective mechanism for content control on the Internet. It also discusses how it just might be too flexible and effective, since it creates an infrastructure that can be easily adopted to enforce a tight censorship net. It also shows how PICS can be manipulated by a government as a censorship tool because it can be installed to function as a censorship net, catching or filtering out whatever the government wants excluded.
From the Paper "As mentioned above, PICS software recognizes a universal format of labels, but the content itself is not evaluated and labeled according to any one, universal standard. Providers of information either label their own content according to their own standard or leave the task to independent organizations. Each individual user can select the labeling standard that most conforms to their own standard. But this flexibility comes at a high cost. A new and separate market was created for organizations, each with a separate set of values, that create rating services that provide labels. Rating, however, is a very labor-intensive process."
Tags: regulation, control, government, information
This paper discusses that the battle between Internet thieves and Internet administrators, which has been going on for many years, since the beginning of the Internet from the 1940s.
Abstract This paper explains that the security problems of the Internet largely are due to the design structure of the Internet; there is no central hub to control information and thus no rules on regulation. The author believes the government finds itself incapable of passing any sort of control measures on the use of the Internet because the users have all the power to control or regulate user discipline. The paper stress that, to find and assess Internet security involving hackers and breakers-in, partnerships within the concerned industry must be formed, whereby, each partner helps the other in case of a breach in security.
From the Paper "It was originally known as "Darpanet" and was a defense device to aid the Government in the eventuality of a nuclear war. The defense personnel used this Darpanet to communicate messages between the various Government networks. The later form of this type of communication came to be known as the "net" or the ?Internet.? Now there are more than 30 million users from all over the world, and there are more than 40 million sites on the Internet. From its humble beginning when the connection was given to universities in America, to the present day when connections are given to small businesses, to Internet Service Providers, and to individual users, the Internet has indeed come a long way. The Internet can now be accessed by any number of users, both private and public, and the service is offered by a large number of Internet providers."
Abstract This paper discusses the government's attempt to censor pornographic material on the internet which the writer feels would infringe on the freedom of expression. This paper also includes a brief but detailed history of the internet. This paper examines the various bills the U.S. government is trying to pass to prevent misuse of the Net. The writer of this paper also discusses the installation of censoring software as an alternative solution to government censorship.
From the Paper "The Internet can also be compared to a church. In many ways the Internet is like a church: it has its council of elders, every member has an opinion about how things should work, and they can either take part or not. It's the choice of the user. The Internet has no president, chief operating officer, or Pope. The constituent networks may have presidents and CEO's, but that's a different issue; there is no single authority figure for the Internet as a whole."
An examination of both sides of the Internet privacy issue, focusing on the effect of specific court rulings and recent laws regarding privacy rights on the Internet.
Abstract This paper discusses how Internet and information technology have given rise to new techniques of investigation and new forms of surveillance and how law enforcement officials view these as powerful tools in the fight against terrorism and cybercrime. It looks at how government and corporate interests have successfully increased surveillance powers over the Internet and cyberspace and the implications of these new powers for privacy rights.
Outline
Security and Corporate Interests
Big Brother
Common Ground
From the Paper "For privacy advocates, these laws expanding law enforcement authority and court rulings regarding piracy and copyright have dealt tremendous blows to individual civil liberties regarding online and Internet activities. The EFF argues, for example that the Patriot Act "expands surveillance while reducing checks and balances." As a result, the government may spy on innocuous activities such as web surfing, even on Americans who are not specific targets of investigation. In addition, the Patriot Act's provisions regarding reciprocity allow foreign intelligence agencies to spy on American people's activities online (EFF 2001)."
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the pros and cons of relying so heavily on the rapidly advancing electronic communication that's so readily available. This paper discusses the impact that the internet has on our daily lives as well as the mixed reactions and assumptions as to the real capacity of its ability to bring about changes in society. The writer ponders whether the experiences and actions of an individual in cyberspace are actually influenced by his/her everyday-life experiences. This paper contends that the internet is a tool to disseminate information and enhance communication and is beyond being just an alternative means of distributing information and communication as it has the capacity to contribute in the transformation of spatial and temporal organization of life. This well-researched and informative paper details how the internet may be used as a tool to advocate a nation's claim to self-determination. In the case of the Tibetans, the official website of the Tibetan government, that is in exile, aims to foster communion among Tibetans worldwide as well as to lobby their claim for self-determination in a global political realm that they are able to reach via the internet. Another example is the case of the Chiapas rebellion in which the internet was used by the Zapatistas to mobilize support locally in Mexico as well as internationally. This paper also discusses the benefits of this advanced technology in developing countries where a wide gap, called the digital divide, currently exists.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
On Internet On Power Relations
On Virtual Communities and Cybernations
On Sociological Transformation
Synthesis
References
From the Paper "In defining what a virtual community is, Wilbur argues that it is not advisable that the concept of virtual community is fitted into some known social reality. Old concepts should not be used in defining new phenomena. It is fine that a rich concept has many definitions. Every meaning that we ascribe to the concept of virtual community is a construct based on how the concept appeals to us. For Foster, communities found in the Internet are virtual but may not be sufficiently communal. For Slevin believes that virtual communities' and textual cyberspaces' existence depends on real people and real organizations. Cybernations are referred to as "non-territorially-bound communities." According to Hamilakis, although it is believed that the Internet is a medium that transgresses national and other boundaries, hence, defying the ideology of seclusion we call nationalism, the Internet is actually used as a tool to reproduce nationalist discourse."
Tags: communication, technology, computer, internet, developing, countries, political, social, society
Abstract This paper examines a new Internet site used by the State of North Carolina, the NC @ Your Service Portal (www.ncgov.com), which provides a "one-stop shop" filled with information and services for the citizens, businesses and state employees of North Carolina. It looks at the possibilities and potential pit-falls that this new site and governmental attitude offers to the public and private sectors and their relationships with the government by examining such variables as the role of government in the digital age, information availability and ease of use, interconnectedness, the "digital divide", and facilitation of personal involvement.
From the Paper "The NC @ Your Service site features three statewide portals -- a citizen portal, a business portal, and an employee portal. Information or applications currently available through North Carolina agency web sites are accessible via the portals. These portals are designed and organized to allow North Carolina citizens, businesses, and state employees to navigate to an information source or application based on what they want to do. In addition, each portal can be personalized such that an individual may select the content that appears on his or her portal. One of the purposes of the new site is to insure that the users are getting the information that they desire online, instead of what agencies want online..."
Tags: computer, digital, divide, internet, page, portal, web
Abstract This paper analyzes and critiques the different Internet business and management strategies that companies may use. It concludes that a company's effective use of the Internet will contribute to that company's success and that the use of the Internet as a management resource tool will become more and more prevalent among businesses as more laws and regulations are implemented to uniformly regulate use of the Internet. It also asserts that, in the future, the Internet will continue to revolutionize communication and change the ways companies do business.
From the Paper "In the past few years, the topic of business management strategy and its' utilization through the Internet has emerged as a significant factor for businesses and has simultaneously gathered a great amount of interest. The Internet has revolutionized communication and has changed the ways companies do business. From online customer service to remote diagnostics, the World Wide Web offers businesses tools that enhance production, sales, customer satisfaction and profits, as a result. The Internet has created the world of e-commerce, or e-business, where companies use Internet-enabled technologies to exchange goods, services or information and to deliver value to customers in entirely new ways."
Abstract This paper discusses how since September 11, 2001, understanding the methods of terrorists has taken on new importance in the West, though especially in the United States. One of the methods that has come under particular focus from analysts and government agencies is the Internet and its potential to facilitate terrorist activities. In fact, terrorists have been making use of cyber-technology. The paper further discusses how the internet is a powerful tool recognized by many terrorist groups who are doing everything in their power to exploit the potential of the internet. Without question, the internet has been increasingly exploited by terrorist organizations since September 11th. The paper uses the example of Imam Samudra, who was the mastermind behind the terrorist attack on a disco hall in Bali in October 2002.
A discussion on whether the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) should be allowed to continue managing the Internet's infrastructure, or whether an alternative group, such as the United Nations, should take over.
Abstract This paper discusses the history of the Domain Name System and ICANN before analyzing the arguments both for and against ICANN control. The paper goes on to consider the strength of the United Nations as an alternative. It is concluded that there is little evidence that the United Nations has the desire or capacity to take over control of the Internet. Therefore on the final analysis of the evidence, it is proposed that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) be allowed to continue managing the Internet's infrastructure. However, it is noted that for ICANN to be successful in the future it must undergo a series of reforms, including a strong separation from the United States government, in order to make it a more accountable and internationally representative corporation.
Outline
Introduction
The Debate
History of ICANN
Concerns with Who Controls the Domain Name System (DNS)
The Case for the Continuation of ICANN Control
Should the United Nations Take Control?
Conclusion
From the Paper "Whilst the Internet was created by the United States and has its historical management strongly linked to the United States, since the opening of the network to commercial interests in 1995 the internet had existed in an International system and as a global resource, and thus must be seen in this context. In order to better understand the current situation and debate surrounding the management of the internet this essay will analyse the information and literature being produced from a range of academics, government and non-government organisations, and will then assess whether ICANN should maintain control or whether the United Nations should, in its capacity as a multi-governmental institution, take over the responsibilities of managing the internet currently entrusted to ICANN."
Tags:internet, ICANN, Domain Name System, DNS, US control
Abstract This considers some of the legal and moral issues of internet gampling. The paper takes a look at whether people have the right to gamble online and whether the government should step in and prohibit gambling on the Internet. The author also examines the moral and ethical concerns of Internet gambling.
From the Paper "Gambling on the Internet seems to be taking a life of its own. Last year, Internet Gambling alone brought in approximately $600 million. This number is expected to rise to about $955 million for 2001. By the year 2003, over $10 billion will have been gambled online. Internet gambling is a reality. An adult sits at his personal computer, accesses the Internet and engages in an on-line activity that hurts nobody. But the government disapproves of what he is doing and wants to charge him with a crime that carries a fine and a prison sentence. This is the scenario in the U.S. today."
Abstract This pape looks at what kind of pornographic material in being transmitted via the Internet, and how available and accessible is child pornography to these pedophiles. The author discusses the methods the government, parents and communities have undertaken to protect children from this rapidly increasing sub-culture.
From the Paper "Since the widespread use of the Internet began, public safety, specifically relating to the safety of children has become a major issue and highly debated topic. The Internet has become an international gateway for child predators to produce and distribute child pornography. It allows these people not only to have limitless boundaries for its promotion, advanced technology for its production, but to be able to form a virtual community, hosting forums, newsgroups and providing vast resources for their fetishes. It is suggested that not only are these sites readily available and easily accessible for public viewing, but are also being protected under legislation. Various methods of exposing and deterring these predators have been created, ranging from anti-child pornography websites to parental control software to new and stricter laws and harsher punishments both for the consumers and creators. It is interesting to examine what is myth and what is truth regarding this phenomenon. Realistically, what kind of pornographic material in being transmitted via the Internet? Why? How available and accessible is child pornography to these "kiddy pornophiles""
Abstract This paper answers the question of whether the U.S. government should be allowed to censor material on the Internet, or whether that would be a violation of free speech. The position that Internet material should not be censored is justified using the principle of freedom of speech, and also because of differences that exist between the Internet and other media.
