![]() ![]() ![]() Anarchy Autocracy Democracy Examples ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
DemocracyDemocracy in online communities operates much the same as in the real world. Every member of the community is given a voice and the opportunity to affect change. This opportunity may be through direct participation or representation. Government by the masses prevents abuses of power and provides communities with an open but controlled atmosphere. Despite the attractiveness of direct involvement for everyone, democracy in online communities seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Communities that use democracy include:
Although many profess that genuine democracy (rule by the people without intermediary representatives) is truly possible in an online world, this does not actually seem to be the case. Despite the freedom from the material world that "cyberspace" provides, "haves" and "have-nots" still exist. To use LambdaMOO as an example: even though access is free and open, end-user participation is encouraged, and means of affecting change are available, a few "super-users" are still in charge and ultimately control the implementation of any new "law" voted in by the user populace. Thus, the abuse of power is available to implementers in democracy as it is in autocracy. |