The Relationship between Political Factors and the Development of E-Participatory Government

This article examines the determinants of the development of the e-participatory government in 189 countries selected by the United Nations for the e-Government Survey 2008. It examines the effect that the political system-features of the ruling party, inter-party competition, voters, and interest groups-has on the development of e-participatory government. The authors' analysis indicates that given that politicians have the most say in the development of e-participatory government, and at the same time they are the ones most averse to its development, except for those with a conservative ideology, the style of administration and the pressure exerted by interest groups are the key factors for the development of e-participatory government.