Political scientist explains
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Why digital education is so important
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“People have to be ready, but also able to participate in decision-making processes online,” says Düsseldorf political scientist Stefan Marschall. He is a guest at the Bonn Days of Democracy.
Photo: Uni Düsseldorf / Mayr; Ivo
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Bonn The Düsseldorf political scientist Stefan Marschall describes how people can participate more in decision-making via the Internet – for example in municipalities. He has specific advice for the parties. On May 10th, Marschall is a guest at the Bonn Days of Democracy.
One of the highlights of the Bonn Democracy Days is the so-called arena discussion on Monday, May 10th, at 7 p.m. “How fit are we for digital democracy?” is the title. The Düsseldorf political scientist Stefan Marschall is also on the virtual podium. Bernd Eyermann spoke to him.
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Are we in Germany fit for digital democracy?
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Stefan Marshal: We could get a little fitter. We need a digital infrastructure, appropriate human skills and a digital culture of participation. There is still a need for expansion everywhere.
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Marschall: The Corona period has made it clear that there is a lack of broadband connections in the infrastructure, for example in rural areas, the public WiFi equipment is not optimal everywhere and there are not always enough suitable end devices available.
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What about digital participation?
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Marschall: People have to be ready, but also able to participate in decision-making processes online. We find that the social imbalances in other forms of participation in the online area are intensifying again.
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And how can you change that?
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Marschall: We need a focus on “digital education” in schools, but also offers for all other age groups in order to train people digitally. There is still a group of off-liners that is getting smaller, but still exists. Often these are older people or people with a lower level of education. These people must also be able to participate in a digital democracy.
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How big is the risk of people being dependent on political participation who have difficulties with digitization?
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Marschall: This danger is great. Because the idea of democracy is inclusive, everyone must at least have the chance to participate. If this is not the case, one has to consider whether there are other ways to compensate.
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Marschall: Offline ways. The question then is whether offline offers can also be maintained in addition to digital offers. Or how to empower people to participate in the online participation formats.
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In his government statement over 50 years ago, Willy Brandt said: We want to dare more democracy. Would you like a Federal Chancellor – whatever his or her name may be – that he or she would say: We want to dare more digital democracy?
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Marschall: It is important to follow this path and to intensify it, because it describes the path into the future. For the younger generation, it is already the everyday way of obtaining political information and communicating politically.
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Where are online forms of participation already possible today?
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Marschall: In so-called citizens’ councils, digital media can be used well to allow people’s interests to flow into the political process. At the municipal level, there are now many procedures and processes, some of which take place online, in order to involve more people in decision-making.
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Which paths will the parties go? Will they develop programs more online to give many more members the opportunity to participate than before?
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Marschall: This is already happening. It has become almost standard for party programs to be discussed online. On the one hand, this is an opportunity for the parties to open up their processes and include people who are not members. On the other hand, they can also win people who are close to the party as members.
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Where do you see the biggest differences in how politics is made in – let’s say – the 70s / 80s and today?
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Marschall: Politics has become more dynamic, communication has intensified. Certain information can be uploaded very quickly, but is often also short-lived. In connection with fake news, the credibility of information and the media is always at issue. At the same time, voters have become more choosy. Party affiliation has decreased, people take a closer look, react more sensitively to developments, and election campaigns make more sense again.
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Can only someone be successful in elections if they use all channels intensively?
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Marschall: We know surprisingly little about how important certain social media applications are for specific voting decisions. But there is a general feeling among the parties that they have to be very active in order not to miss the boat. You think you have to show a certain amount of modernity. But posters will also continue to be important.
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What advice would you give parties on how to position themselves digitally?
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Marschall: It shouldn’t be artificial or ingratiating, but authentic. And you should try not to exaggerate in order to make it clear that you come from the political field, i.e. that you are dealing with very important and serious aspects.
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Is that a lesson from what Donald Trump did for four years?
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Marschall: The Trump era certainly had a healing effect. Social media has been used many times to spread truths. This has led to increased skepticism towards this content and also to corresponding reactions from the platform operators. At the same time, it also paved the way for a more objective approach. Get less excited, get more done, that seems to be the motto.
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What is your experience with the Wahl-O-Maten?
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Marschall: Most of them already use the Wahl-O-Mat with a certain party preference, but want to compare the extent to which their favored party corresponds to their own positions in relation to the 38 theses from the Wahl-O-Mat. We are therefore addressing a politically interested audience with a certain background. I do not suspect that he has much influence on the voting decision. The Wahl-O-Mat only covers topics. In the elections, on the other hand, the personalities of the top candidates also play a major role.
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Can artificial intelligence help with political participation?
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Marschall: We often look at artificial intelligence with great misgivings and ask whether the algorithms have mastered us. But we also have to look at it constructively and consider where artificial intelligence can also use us to make better political decisions.
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Marschall: By coming to more balanced decisions in group discussions, citizens’ councils and the like. Arguments can be sorted for better evaluation. But you also have to be careful that the artificial intelligence remains transparent.
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