Interpreting e‐government and development

Purpose The paper aims to show, through the case of Jordan, how e‐government is difficult to implement, given the characteristics of the local administration, the socio‐economic context and the dynamics of the technological infrastructure. It also aims to ascertain more generally whether the marketisation of the state, embedded in e‐government, makes sense as the paramount approach to improve democracy and foster development. Design/methodology/approach Describes how the Kingdom of Jordan, as a case study of an innovative and extensive application of e‐government ideas and models, provides a paradigmatic example of how ICTs are being introduced in economically less developed countries and identifies the risks of failure in implementation. Based on the empirical evidence provided by the case, examines the more general implications of e‐government and new public management in the transformation of the relationship between the state and citizen. Findings The transformation of citizens into customers is problematic, and the correlation between good governance and minimal state with development can hardly be demonstrated historically. Originality/value The paper puts forward a new interpretation centred on the newly established link between aid and security. In this light, e‐government appears to be one of the new tools for the rich metropolitan states to govern “at a distance” (through sophisticated methodologies and technologies) the potentially dangerous, weak, borderland states.