Developing participatory democracy requires work to ensure citizens' equal opportunities. The idea that increased information alone strengthens democracy is wrong. It may on the contrary fragment people's world view and make them passive. In Finland considerable attention has been given to a project which has striven in different ways to increase citizens' involvement and opportunities to participate. New information technology plays a significant role in this project.
New technology offers a new channel for political action and decision-making.
People are also interested. It should be remembered that these new means are real possibilities only in western democracies. In many developing countries people do not have telephone services, much less Internet or similar connections. There are still large differences between developed countries as well. I myself represent a country which ranks at the top internationally by many measures.