Direction of electronic governance initiatives within two worlds: case for a shift in emphasis

Recent literature points to promotion of democracy, participation in public policy making and service delivery as being primary objectives of electronic governance. However, there seems to be greater emphasis on promotion of democracy and participation in public policy making in developed countries whilst stronger emphasis seems to be on service delivery in developing countries. The paper argues that whilst all three objectives are imperative for any country, current emphases on promotion of democracy and public policy making in developed countries and service delivery in developing countries ought to be reversed as democratic needs are nowhere greater than in developing economies.