Open government and citizen participation: a journey through history – Infographic

Open government and citizen participation: a journey through history – Infographic

My list

Open governments, those in which citizenry can access the documents and proceedings of the government, be it at local or state level, are one of the basis for the improvement of democracy. A form of government that is relatively new, although it has truly ancient origins.

Ancient Indian Republics

More than 24 centuries ago, the Maurya Empire, in the India subcontinent, managed its cities using a complex system that allowed for the vote of the richest citizens, backed by a hereditary monarchy. A number of councils decided on issues such as road maintenance, trade, licenses and even tourism.

Athens: A man, a vote

Greek democracy is widely considered the origin of current democratic regimes with its one man, one vote system. Literally.__ Women couldn’t vote, and the same was also true for slaves,__ despite making a huge part of the population during the era. According to classical literature, each free man owned at least one slave.

From Rome to Paris: democracy, but just for the rich

The Roman participative system allowed rich men to vote according to their centuria or land ownership. Later, wealth would be measured in bronze coins. The notion of rich citizens being the only ones allowed to participate in decision-making would survive well into the British and French empires, which allowed for some kind of democratic representation of the elites.

Current democracy: secrecy of choice and voting rights

In 1795 France decrees that vote must be secret. The voter doesn’t have to voice its political opinions and desires. Later, in 1822, the First Hellenic Republic would allow one vote for each man. Just a few years after the fact, the United States would recognize the right of women to vote.

Towards more open governments

Nowadays, citizens are looking into ways to increase their participation. Open governments are seen as more transparent and collaborative, allowing for participative budgets and popular initiatives in order to improve decision-making.

Related content

Recommended profiles for you

RV
Regina Vigo
Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal
Teacher of Public Administration
SD
Serena Da Rold
IDC
Lead analyst for IDC's Worldwide Smart Cities Spending Guide
ZB
Zsófia Bartha
National Data Asset Agency
Chief of Staff
MB
Melquisedec Bernal Peña Bernal Peña
Agenda Urbana
Coordinador
MV
Maria Jesus Vera Izquierdo
Corporacion Regional de Santiago
Gerente General
YH
yaron hakon
tel aviv municipality
Architect & information security
AG
Adriano Greco da Fonseca
Adriano Greco da Fonseca
IR Consultant & Public Translator. Gain soft power by transforming know how into show how.
NN
nastaran najdaghi
municipality
head of urban regeneration department
CA
Catalina Aguilar
Creadorxs Dementes
CEO
ST
Sara Thabit
TalTech
PhD student
CR
claudia ramos
Enel Codensa
Profesional Experto B2G
RE
Rafael Espinosa
Cinvestav-IPN
Research Assistant
MC
micaela Cerezoli
Universidad de País Vasco/ADEC
Research in Prospective Team
GM
Gaston Massari Copes
Gobernanza NGO
President and founder. Specialist in linkage of new technologies and governments. Speaker
AS
Anamaria Schneider
Fundaçao Estal de Saúde de Niteroi
Director
JM
Jean Mattos Duarte
Belo Horizonte City Hall
Deputy Secretary of Planning, Budget and Management
WV
Wilbert Vilchez
SUNAT
Auditor
PH
Philip Hockberger Hockberger
Northwestern University
Consultant
AS
Amitabh Sharma
Municipal Corporation
Zone Commisioner
GD
George Dizon
Maharlika Peoples Party
Chairman, membership commitree