Glossary of Terms

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citizen-centricity

An emphasis on the perspective of the citizen as distinct from the perspective of an institution such as Parliament or the government.

democracy

(A State having) government by all the people, direct or representative; form of society ignoring hereditary class distinctions and tolerating minority views.^[1]

democratic entities

Entities that participate in the democratic process: groups of citizens, organisations (including businesses), political parties, and networks.

democratic infrastructure

The tangible and procedural infrastructure necessary for democratic processes to operate effectively.

democratic institutions

The three fundamental institutions that make up representative democracy: parliament, executive government, and the judiciary.

democratic processes

The formal and informal mechanisms that underpin democracy – involving activities including: identifying, assessing, promoting, interacting, deciding, implementing, monitoring and evaluating.

electronic democracy

The application of electronic communications and information technology to democratic processes. More narrowly, it is popularly applied to the use of the Internet as an aid to democracy.

electronic technology

Networked, information and communications technology. The network is an essential feature of the information society, based largely around the Internet. It consists of nodes (eg computer terminals) connected by computer and telecommunications infrastructure. It provides the framework for effort and the springboard for innovation arising from the use of electronic technology.

human capital

The sum of skills, knowledge and experience that people apply to economic, social and political endeavours, including information.

physical capital

The physical infrastructure (including the natural environment) that is necessary for economic, social and political activity.

representative democracy

A form of democracy characterised by:

• the periodic election of Parliamentarians by popular vote to form a Parliament for enacting laws;
• the formation of government by Parliamentarians (usually drawn from the largest political party or group of parties) to develop and implement policy and undertake the executive functions of the State; and
• the rule of law and the recognition of property rights, with an independent judiciary to decide on questions of law.

social capital

The social infrastructure in communities (the foundations for social interaction including democratic infrastructure such as institutions and processes) and the strength of social fabric (the complex web of relationships and interactions that provide the glue that holds communities together).

social compact

The formal and informal understandings between citizens whereby they agree to co-operate for social benefits – exchanging the individual freedom of the state of nature for legal restriction in order to enjoy social benefits.

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