WHAT DEMOCRACY WE HAVE? WHAT DEMOCRACY WE WANT?

Abstract

The  author  begins  by recognizing  that  the  parameters  on which  were  inscribed  the institutions  of representative  democracy  have  changed  substantially.  In this  new  context places the debate on the possible def icits of representative  democracy and specif ically the growing  divestment  popular  capacity  to influence  and determine  decisions,  which makes losing legitimacy to a democracy that only keeps doors open formal rites and institutional. Second, the article focuses on what effect has the spread of internet in that scenario? The author notes how strategies of ICT so far developed in the political arena have focused on improving service delivery capacity or capacity expansion of consumer choice-citizens, but there is willingness to go beyond a conception of democracy that focuses on the procedural rules and in a very strict view of the principle  of representation.  Given  these strategies, the  article  addresses,  first,  the  relationship  between  the  Internet,  social  movements  and new  forms  of politics  (focusing  on the  experience  of 15M)  and,  on the  other  hand,  the possibility  of rethinking  the old theme  again  direct  democracy  and  citizen  participation that extension and generalization  of Internet allows. In both strategies late concern for the quality of participation  and ability to engage people in collective  matters both politically as a necessary not only to defend their interests, but as a way of understanding democracy, a democracy  relational participatory.