Consulting the citizens. Relationship-based interaction in e-goverment

Abstract

This work-in-progress report explores the multi-layered discourse on interaction within the field of e-government, heavily influenced by marketing-, and democracy-related values. The discourse hold out the prospect of an on-going transformation towards what could be labeled "relationshipbased interaction", aiming at involving citizens actively in development of public information and services on regular basis. Municipalities and official authorities are taking various initiatives to reconfigure their relations with the citizens on local and regional as well as on a national level in Sweden, of which some local examples are presented in this paper. This article also reflects upon possible ways to promote public involvement in development of government, by the use of participatory design influenced methods and tools