3. 3. 3. Creating an Internet-based "electronic government”

The apparent success of the use of the Internet technology as a tool of political struggle led to the idea of creating on bases of the Internet and other modern information technologies an “e-government” or government, equipped with an electronic interface. In this case, it should be noted that the idea of ​​using telecommunications for public administration has a long history. For example, in the 70s in the state of Ohio, District of Columbus, U.S., an experiment was conducted, the essence of which was that all the houses were installed with interactive “telematic” system. "The result was" that a citywide electronic assembly "where citizens could watch (and if they want to actively discuss and express their opinions through the instant push-button voting) session of the local administration Planning Commission (Васильева, 2003). Attempts to create similar systems based on various telecommunications are regularly undertaken in industrial countries (Street, 1997; p. 27). However, the Internet has proved to be the most convenient and cheapest means by which the idea of electronic government moved from the field of speculative concepts and pilot projects to the area of large-scale implementation. This idea was extremely popular not only among intellectuals but also among the broad masses of the democratic public. In addition, some countries with authoritarian political regimes have also moved towards this direction. Beginning from the mid 90’s, many countries are concerned about the development and implementation of numerous programs for the creation and development of electronic government (Street, 1997; p. 30 - 42).

The idea of “e-government” is a representation of the state where the institutions are designed to meet effectively the immediate needs of the society (Street, 1997; p. 30). According to the Drozhzhinov (Дрожжинов, Штрик, 2000), "the essence of “e-government” is to use virtual space to improve service delivery models and the functioning of government and public institutions" (Дрожжинов, Штрик, 2000; c. 16).

Among the main reasons for the ineffectiveness of public authorities, the most common are:

1. Growth in total employment and payroll costs in the public sector;

2. The ineffectiveness of monetary incentives, lack of motivation of politicians;

3. Protectionism (patronage);

4. Corruption and the low level of public confidence to government officials;

5. Failure of state machinery to respond to changes in society priorities;

6. Operational inefficiencies and poor quality of the state operationalize of public services

7. Lack of qualified personnel in regions with limited human resources (Дрожжинов, Штрик, 2000; c. 17).

According to the Department of Public Economics and Management of the UN and the American Society for Public Administration, the use of information technology in public administration has five stages:

1. Initial presence. This phase is associated with the release of government agencies in the Internet. At this stage, the government has one or more sites that carry information role. These sites will inform citizens about the composition of the government, its ministers, agencies, officials, etc. As well as the information about phone numbers, addresses, hours, admission, etc. One can find “feedback" information on the site in the form of frequently asked questions.

2. The expanded presence. At this stage users can receive specialized and constantly updated information through the number of government websites. There is an opportunity to receive government publications, legal documents and news. The number of government agencies in the network increases and there is possibility to contact them. There appears the information about the electronic addresses, search systems, the ability to send a comment or advice.

3. Interaction. This stage is characterized by the intensification of the possibility of interaction between citizens and government structures, supplying services to the public. National government website frequently acts as a portal directly connecting the user with the ministers, departments and agencies. Reciprocity between citizens and service providers ensure network users to have direct access to the information that is conformable to their specific needs and interests. The user can receive specialized data, load different shapes and forms or sign them over the network, schedule meetings with government officials, participate in electronic assemblies. Here there are sites and passwords for security users.

4. Transactions conducting. This phase includes opportunities for users to receive documents over the network and carry out the transaction. Citizens can obtain visas, passports, birth and death certificates, the license permits and other transaction services. Government Web Site is a portal containing a direct public access to government departments and services. Such portals are more focused on needs and priorities of citizens than on governmental functions and structures. Citizens may also pay taxes and perform other fees through the network (for parking, car registration, etc.). Electronic signature is being starting recognized.

5. “Seamless” interaction. This step is distinguished by the permission of the government to perform all services and communication through the government portal and the network user can immediately receive any service. It is noted that here the boundaries between governmental units are very mobile, which suggests a new role of government and organization of its activities and the functioning of the bureaucracy, like the "virtual state" and corresponding "virtual bureaucracy" (Дрожжинов, 2002).

Political communication, within the concept of "electronic government" has several major areas:

1. G2G (government-to-government) or exchange of information between different government agencies, departments and agencies.

2. G2B (government-to-business) that is communication of public services with commercial and public structures.

3. G2C («government-to-citizen») - the relationship between citizens and state (Дрожжинов, Штрик, 2000).

The advantages of government digitalization in details presented in Appendix 1

As a good example of “electronic government” implementation with more or less success was the experience of the United States. "The U.S. government made the development of national information infrastructure (NII) to be the priority of its policy. The best known initiative, implemented in the U.S. since 1993, is the "National Information Infrastructure: Plan for Action". In 1996 a law on “Freedom of Information” was adopted, which detailed responsibilities of government institutions to provide information for citizens using on the Internet. In 2003, US government put into action a law on “The Limitations of Spam" (Дрожжинов, Штрик, 2000; p. 32).

Possibilities of using the Internet in practice of public authorities abroad are varied:

• In Singapore, a web portal gathered 150 government services.

• Every year in the UAE more than 8000 customs operations are made over the Internet.

• Brazilians vote electronically on central and local authorities elections.

• The U.S. federal government makes an annual 4 million online transactions for purchasing goods and services worth more than $ 17 billion.

• 2 billion of annual insurance claims are processed in France with the help of computer networks.

• 75% of Australians pay the income tax on the Internet (Holmes, 2001).

A major problem of the concept of "electronic government" was recognized as a problem of digital division between citizens (Norris, 2001). The fact that the lack of citizen access to the Internet automatically makes him to be a political outsider, because the one is deprived by the possibility of getting political information or participation in elections. This issue is particularly relevant for the developing countries (Norris, 2001). There are studies that show that in developing countries “new technologies merely extend the gap between the rich and the poor" (Harris, 2004; p. 35). But even in such a highly developed country like Switzerland from 1997 to 2000 the gap between those who have access to the Internet, and those who do not have, has expanded (Norris, 2001). Moreover, there is a serious gap in the Internet use between the educated and uneducated users: "Better educated people use the Internet more actively, and their network activity is directed mainly to obtain information, while less educated people spend less time in the Internet, and their network activity is connected with entertaining orientation” (Bonfadelli, 2002; p. 65).

Theorists’ of "electronic government" preoccupation about the issues of digital inequality and information poverty has so obvious implications that it has been recognized as one of the central problems of our time having a global character (Murdock, 2002). In 2000 the head of the "G8" signed the "Okinawa Charter on Global Information Society" (Okinawa Charter on Global Information Society, 2000). The first results of “e-government” ideas implementation, generated in the wider circles of the public, was an idea that the final result of implementation of "electronic government" is the evolution of modern representative democracy in a system of "electronic democracy" (Grossman, 1995). “E-democracy” - is such a "democratic political system in which computers and computer networks are used to perform the essential functions of the democratic process such as the dissemination of information and communication, the union of the citizens interests and decision-making (by meeting and voting)” (Vershinin, 2001; p. 116).