Digital Quality of Life: Government

Abstract

One of the pillars of every community is its system of government. Many government functions, such as collecting taxes and running elections, involve the collection and dissemination of information. Thus, governments can use information technology (IT) to solve a host of problems.Because IT facilitates the collection, analysis, and distribution of information, its use penetrates all layers of government and government agencies regardless of size or mission. Governments can use IT for mission support. Governments can use electronic record management systems to help ensure secure data storage, easier access to information, and more accountability.Governments can also use IT to reduce operational costs by, for example, implementing telework and teleconferencing solutions to save money on office space and travel expenses. In addition, governments can develop large-scale IT solutions to address specific problems such as border control, national defense, law enforcement, and health care. In fact, the possible applications for IT in government, just as in industry, are nearly limitless.Although e-government's potential still remains largely untapped, a whole host of benefits can already be seen among technology-savvy agencies at all levels of government. As discussed below, some governments have used IT as a catalyst for modernizing government and improving the efficiency and quality of government services. In addition, some governments have transformed themselves and empowered their citizens by streamlining their activities and processes to facilitate citizens' access to information, as well as by creating more openness and transparency in government operations to allow better public oversight.