Showing papers by "Simon French published in 2010"

E-Democracy: A Group Decision and Negotiation Perspective

Abstract: We are all aware of political imperatives towards e-government and public participation which, together with pressures from the information and communications industry to sell their wares, mean that e-participation and e-democracy are coming, and coming fast, whether or not the processes involved are meaningful and valid. Indeed, the bulk of research in the field concentrates mainly on technologies to facilitate or automate standard democratic instruments. Typical examples include technologies of e-voting, which essentially refer only to facilitating voting through electronic means, and techno

Can a participatory approach contribute to food chain risk analysis

Abstract: We consider food chain risks and specifically address stakeholder participation in the risk analysis process. We combine social and natural science perspectives to explore the participation process in relation to food risks and, in particular, to consider how some specific participation processes might be scientifically evaluated and how stakeholder participation in general might be incorporated into food risk decision making. We have built considerations based on three large integrative case studies that examine aspects of participatory processes. Here we use the case studies collectively to illustrate observations and beliefs concerning the nature of the interaction of stakeholders with established quantitative risk methodologies. This account is not supported by any large volume of analysis. The views in the report are expressed in relation to an accepted risk analysis framework and also with respect to probabilistic modeling of risks and are illustrated where possible with anecdotal reports of actual case study events.

e-Democracy: A Group Decision and Negotiation-Oriented Overview

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the fields of e-participation and e-democracy and set them up in the context of group decisions and negotiations. It provides also a broad overview for the rest of the book, introducing the forthcoming chapters.

The Internet and the Web

Abstract: e-Democracy and e-participation are based upon the technologies which underpin the Internet and the World Wide Web. In this chapter, we introduce those in sufficient detail to support the discussion in later chapters. We emphasize the evolution of the Internet. Currently there is considerable hype of Web 2.0 and the forthcoming Web 3.0, as if there has been some radical change since Web 1.0 which is still ongoing. But the Web is coming of age, that is all.

e-Democracy: The Road Ahead.

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of potential topics of interest within the fields of e-democracy and e-participation from a group decision and negotiation perspective, setting up a potential research and practice agenda.