In recent years it has become fashionable to stress the important role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in terms of socio-economic development, fostering social inclusion, innovative cultural production, but also in terms of reviving democracy. There is however little empirical evidence that underpins these assumptions, on the contrary. Also most research being done in relation to ICTs, democracy and politics concentrates on issues such as e-government, online voting or the use of ICTs by formal politics (Gore, 1994 - Browning, 1996 - Poullet, 1998). This is rather problematic from a critical democratic and participatory line of approach, as large parts of the population are excluded because access is not universal, nor are the capabilities to use the technology evenly distributed. The unequal distribution of access to ICTs, unadapted content, user-unfriendly interfaces, specific capabilities needed to use the Internet, are however serious constraints for using ICTs in terms of the formal democratic process (Feather, 1994 - Schiller, 1996). When the focus changes from formal towards informal politics and political processes, the same constraints exist, but the importance of these communicative technologies, in terms of politics, mobilising for political action, fostering networking and/or strengthening the public sphere, are becoming much bigger. From this perspective the question also arises in what ways ICTs can promote or facilitate political participation or civic engagement and contribute to the democratic process.

Democracy is thereby seen as a political system that is constantly in motion, never finished or fixed, always needing to transform, adapt and change itself (Enwezor, et.al, 2002: 14). The context of this research can therefore not only be reduced to the possible usage's of ICTs in terms of active citizenship, social movement organisation or public sphere, but should also be related to the existentialist crisis that faces (formal) representative democracy in Europe. This crisis is exemplified amongst others by low voter turnout at elections, declining membership of political parties and old social movements, increasing number of protest voters, etc.

REFERENCES:

• Enwezor, O., et.al.: (2002) 'Democracy Unrealized', Documenta11_Platform1, Kassel: Hatje Cantz
• Gore, A., (1994) Forging a new Athenian Age of democracy, Intermedia, Vol.22, 4-7
• Browning, G. (1996) Electronic Democracy: Using the Internet to Influence American Politics', Wilton CT: Pemberton
• Feather, J. (1994) 'The Information Society: A Stud of Continuity and Change', London: Library Association Publishing
• Schiller, H.: (1996) 'Information inequality: the deepening social crisis in America', London: Routledge
• Poullet Y.,(1998) 'Freedom and information highways or how to ensure electronic democracy ', Telematics and Informatics, n° 15, pp. 163-180.