E-Government

E-government has become one of those words that is used frequently and has a wide range of references—just like e-democracy, e-voting, or e-commerce. It is the “electronic” aspect of the term that is the key variable in improving both the democratic systems of government and the lives of citizens. Yet caution should also be taken because an expansion of e-government has the potential to cause a reduction in individual privacy due to expanded opportunities and tools to conduct surveillance. In this entry, background information, including the definition, concept, and early history of e-government, is presented, followed by a review of how various scholars view the increase of technology within a government. The entry concludes with a look at the potential ramifications of e-government.