Principles of Digital Democracy

Drawing on almost a decade of first-hand experience, Principles of Digital Democracy presents a unique look at digital democracy tools in action. Whether it is carbon budgeting in Canada, voting on legislation in Italy or policy consultation in Taiwan, this book explains not just what is possible to achieve with digital democracy tools today, but how to assess the life-cycle of civic engagement, as well as different approaches to security and policy implementation.

Principles of Digital Democracy combines theory with practice, giving the reader an overarching theory of the components (Bestandteile) of digital democracy (e.g. ideation, deliberation, decision-making), as well as numerous case studies from around the world. Interviews with organizers and participants provide further insight into who participates in digital democracy and why they do so.

Dr. Roslyn Fuller is the Managing Director of the Solonian Democracy Institute, an Irish think tank focussed on researching alternative democratic practices. An international jurist by training (PhD International Law, Trinity College, Dublin), her research combines insights from ancient Athenian democracy with modern methods of digital, distributed decision-making. The author of several books including Beasts and Gods: How Democracy Changed Its Meaning and Lost Its Purpose (Zed Books, 2015) and In Defence of Democracy (Polity, 2019), she advocates for a principles-based understanding of democracy that cherishes wide and deep democratic participation not tied to specific outcomes. Dr. Fuller also regularly contributes to broadcast and print media, including The Nation, The LA Review of Books and The Financial Times.

"You can read Principles of Digital Democracy both as a contemporary history of democracy or as a flight manual. Regardless, I think Fuller’s book will become a modern classic in democracy theory."
Peer Norbäck, founder of Demoex (2000)

"Principles of Digital Democracy shows how technology is a source of hope and a powerful tool to be harnessed. The book provides powerful case studies of how tech is being used in different settings, not just to protect democracy, but to reimagine democracy as a rolling iterative collaborative process of active citizen engagement."
Máirin Murray, Impact Innovator and Co-Founder of Tech for Good Dublin

"In a field dominated by superficiality, Principles of Digital Democracy never fails to dig deeply into why we practice democracy the way we do. As comfortable with Rousseau and elections systems, as with mix-nets and blockchain, Fuller is the rare author who truly understands both tech and politics. Her insights are invaluable for anyone seeking to implement digital democracy today."
Adam Bennet, CEO, Red Piranha, Cybersecurity