Consultation Cynicism: Whither e-Consultation?

Abstract

This working paper draws on the preliminary findings of eight focus group discussions on 'real world' consultation processes in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We find that there exists a massive culture of cynicism amongst 'activist' citizens with respect to state/administration initiated consultation processes. This begs the key question: if such levels of cynicism exist - regardless of the sophistication of the ICT technology employed - whither the effectiveness of future e-consultation processes? We present no simplistic, naive or premature conclusions here but tease out some preliminary implications of these findings where we grant precedence to deliberative democracy over technology.