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An important aspect that administrations can promote development in their nation is the relationship between the governing body and the public. A government can foster an environment of positive growth if the relationship between the leaders and the masses is a constructive one. The idea of having a dynamic development through ICTs can be applied to this association. Governments can ‘go online’ to offer more convenient and efficient services as well as boost internal morale. In fact, The United Nation sees the growth of e-governance as a positive correlation between nations and their prosperity: “A country’s overall progress in e-government closely correlates with its social, political, or economic composition. The more effective programs prioritize development to reflect ICT, Human Resources, and user capacities” SOURCE
In an effort to gain an appreciation of the global e-government landscape in 2001, the United Nations Division for Public Economics and Public Administration (UNDPEPA) and the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) undertook a research study analyzing the approach, progress, and commitment on the part of the 190 UN Member States. The study’s primary goal was to objectively present facts and conclusions that define a country’s e-government environment and demonstrate its capacity to sustain online development. This was accomplished by a comparative analysis of fundamental information and communication technology (ICT) indicators and critical human capital measures for each UN Member State. The final measure or E-government Index could be a useful tool for policy-planners as an annual benchmark.
Figure G: UNDP Ranking: E-gov Index
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Figure E: Relationship between government and
populous
Figure F: UNDP ranking
The suggestion that such an index could be used as an annual benchmark illuminates how the UN tries to keep its member nations under its influence. Countries wishing to keep good standing with the UN will attempt to meet benchmark score and raise the factors that influences these indexes. Of course the factors that are measured are ones in which the UN determines as important. This is an example of how global entities attempt to establish legitimate authority and indirectly affect social behavior through these authoritative dictations. |
