In today’s modern world, e-government plays a vital role in service delivery, increasing transparency, and enhancing citizen engagement through the use of digital technologies. However, due to differences in societal circumstances, governing objectives, and underlying political institutions, its success varies greatly between autocracies and democracies
E-government in democracies is usually guided by the values of accountability, transparency, and citizen participation. Democracies frequently stress the value of digital platforms and open data because they enable citizens to hold public officials accountable, access government information, and participate in decision-making. The emphasis on openness and participation stems from democratic principles that give precedence to the rights of the individual and the rule of law. Therefore, e-government programs in democracies frequently increase public confidence, improve the provision of services, and boost the effectiveness of the government. Governments are also driven to implement e-government tools in order to better serve the public and meet citizen expectations due to the competitive nature of democratic elections.
On the other hand, e-government in autocracies is typically more centralized and tightly managed, emphasizing efficiency and monitoring over openness and citizen participation. Digital platforms are frequently used by autocratic governments to monitor the populace, expedite administrative procedures, and keep information under control. Even though these regimes may be very effective at providing services, a lack of openness and citizen involvement can result in problems like power abuse, corruption, and public mistrust. Furthermore, stifling free speech and suppressing dissent are two further ways that e-government monitoring practices undermine democratic values and human rights.
Overall, the e-government can be advantageous for both autocracies and democracies, but the results depend on the larger political context. While autocracies frequently place a higher priority on control, efficiency, and surveillance, democracies typically use e-government to improve openness, accountability, and citizen involvement. This has varied effects on society and governance.
