As novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação e seus impactos na democracia contemporânea

Abstract

This study intends to make a critical reflection about the effects of new information and communication technologies on contemporary democracy. Within this universe of digital platforms and applications, the use of these tools in the latest electoral campaigns in some democratic countries has sparked interest in more closely analyzing the effects of new technologies on the democratic process, as well as on democratic institutions and the citizen. Can the democratic regime be favored or weakened by new information and communication technologies? Is it possible for citizens to fully exercise their citizenship through new technologies? The research now developed has a theoretical-descriptive character and qualitative bias, with a critical and reflective perspective. The deductive method, of historical-comparative procedure and the bibliographic research technique specialized in the researched subject are used. After the research, it was concluded that the new information and communication Technologies represent important advances for society, with benefits for both the citizen and for democratic institutions that can facilitate the dialogue between political agents, as well as giving back to the citizen not only control over public policies to be implemented according to the needs of the population, as well as responsibility for collective decisions to be taken for the full economic, political and social development of humanity. However, it must be borne in mind that digital tools are not the magic solution that can solve complex problems and the crisis that affects the democratic regime. For the positive effects of new technologies to be a reality in democratic societies and to be able to rescue the democratic values so worn out by the successive crises faced, it is essential that minimum conditions are implemented or at least debated by all civil society and political agents. Only after this debate, will the use of technological resources be able to favor democracy.