1. Karol Dobrzeniecki Nicolas Copernicus University Torun (PL)
A Janus-faced view of electronic governance Between Foucault and Habermas  
Karol Dobrzeniecki
Nicolas Copernicus University
Torun (PL)
Reykjavik, 13th – 14th of July 2007, LEFIS Meeting

2. The Information Technology Paradigm*
- information is its raw material
pervasiveness of IT’s effects
networking logic
flexibility: the material basis of an informational society can be reprogrammed and retooled
*M.Castells, The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture.Vol 1.:The Rise of the Network Society, Oxford 2000, p. 69.

3. Why a theoretical dimension of the electronic governance?
to avoid a technological determinism
to provide a conteptual framework
to identify new kind of values and risks
Two visions: Habermas vs. Foucault

4. Habermas: Ideal speech situation
The requirement of generality
Autonomy
Ideal role taking
Power neutrality
Transparence
The unconstrained, unifying, consensus-bringing force of argumentative speech

6. Can the ideal speech situation occur in the cyberspace?
New digital tools for a civil society
Electronic government and self-government
Access to public information
Internet Standard Making Process

7. Foucault: disciplinary power
- hierarchical observation
normalising judgements and examination
micro-penalties and rewards
more effective, less repressive control
no central controlling agency
Bentham's Panopticon is an ideal architectural model of modern disciplinary power. Its principle may be universally applied.

9. Potential for disciplinary projects in the digital age
Digital Rights Management Systems
Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems
Radio Frequency Identification
Video-surveillance cameras

10. Conclusion: There is a very thin border between:
the-perfect-knowledge-society project
and
the-perfect-knowledge-about-a-society project

11. How to keep the balance? - technological transparency (open standards) - taking care of the public domain - understanding of the new modes of regulation