Demand a More Open-Source Government: Building a Participatory Democracy

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and interconnectedness, the concept of open government is no longer a futuristic ideal but a pressing necessity. Beth Noveck, former deputy CTO at the White House, envisions a transformative approach to governance, one that leverages the power of networks, data, and citizen engagement to create a truly participatory democracy.

From Closed Doors to Open Data

Noveck contrasts the early days of the White House, where neighbors freely interacted with the president, with the more recent past, where security measures and bureaucratic hurdles created a sense of distance between the government and the people. This shift highlights a fundamental challenge: how can governments adapt to the demands of the 21st century while upholding the principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration?

The Flow of Values and Expertise

Governments, like companies, are in the business of creating public goods. However, traditional institutions often struggle to harness the collective intelligence and expertise of their citizens. Noveck argues that our current systems are designed to channel the flow of values through voting, a process that is increasingly inadequate in the age of social media.

• The Problem: Centralized bureaucracies and entrenched systems limit the flow of information and expertise between government and citizens.
• The Solution: Redesign institutions to embrace networks, open data, and participatory processes.

The Cambrian Era of Governance

We live in a time of unprecedented access to data and powerful social networks. This presents a unique opportunity to reinvent the way we govern, moving away from outdated models and embracing new forms of collaboration.

Opening the API of Government

Noveck draws a parallel between the success of platforms like Twitter and the potential of open government. By opening up the "API" of government, we can empower citizens to build innovative solutions and engage in the practice of governance.

The Superpower of Combination

The next great superpower will be the one that can successfully combine the hierarchy of institutions with the diversity and dynamism of networks. This requires a shift in mindset, from a top-down approach to a collaborative ecosystem where citizens and government work together to solve complex problems.

Examples of Open Government in Action

Noveck highlights several examples of open government initiatives around the world:

• Rajasthan, India: Painting government spending data on village walls to promote civic engagement and accountability.
• Spacehive (UK): Crowdfunding community projects to deliver better services.
• Ushahidi (Kenya): Crisis mapping website that crowdsources information to deliver rescue services.
• John Bon Jovi's Soup Kitchen (New Jersey): Funding a prize to create scalable national applications to help the homeless.
• Texas: Using online policy wikis to replace burdensome regulations with innovative alternatives.
• Sberbank (Russia): Practicing crowdsourcing to develop innovations and save money.
• San Ramon, California: iPhone app that alerts CPR-trained citizens to nearby heart attacks.
• British Columbia, Canada: Publishing a catalog of ways citizens can engage in co-creation of governance.

Beyond Transparency: Participation and Collaboration

Noveck emphasizes that open government is not simply about transparency. Throwing data over the transom doesn't change how government works. True open government requires participation and collaboration, transforming how we work together to solve problems.

Two Phases of the Open Government Revolution

1. Better Information In: Crowdsourcing expertise and data to improve decision-making.
2. Decision-Making Power Out: Seeding power over core functions of government to citizens.

Creating a Writable Society

To achieve a truly open government, we must start with our youngest people, teaching them that we live in a writable society where they have the power to change their communities and institutions. By fostering a culture of participation and collaboration, we can unlock the potential for innovation and create a stronger democracy.

Demanding the Revolution

The time has come to demand a more open-source government. While we may not yet have the perfect words to describe this revolution, we must embrace the opportunity to create a more participatory, collaborative, and innovative future.

If we want to see the hopeful and exciting innovations in clean energy, clean education, and development adopted and scaled, we must all participate, get involved, and open up our institutions. Like the leaf, we must let the nutrients flow throughout our body politic, creating open institutions and a better tomorrow.