What Tech Can Do For Democracy
By Susan Reichle
Changing human behavior is much like forging a new pathway through the forest; most people will continue to follow the old path until enough pioneers have cleared another one that seems safe and well traveled.
For populations facing corrupt governments and unaccountable institutions, fighting the established norms and taking an unmarked path can be much more difficult or even dangerous than accepting their current situation.
People are also dissuaded from speaking up if their government leaders and community institutions do not respond to or even repress their concerns.
As a USAID democracy officer in Russia, I witnessed how challenging it was for the average Russian citizen to access independent information to build a more economically stable life for their family. With the legacy of 75 years of communism, government institutions were not accustomed to being held accountable by their citizens.
At the turn of the century, only 4 percent of people outside of Moscow and Russia could access the internet. But Russians were thirsty for information and NGOs popped up across the Federation with USAID and Western support.
Although in recent years space for civil society has dramatically closed, when I returned to Russia in 2012, I was thrilled to see that many of these NGOs were continuing to provide voiceless citizens with access to information and helping them hold government officials accountable.
Fortunately, the rapid expansion of cell phones and internet access is giving rise to an inspiring phenomenon — citizen-powered reform.
Now, any citizen can report a corrupt politician or ignored city service with a few taps on their phone. These new tools are a strong vehicle for holding government leaders accountable and ensuring that all people have access to justice.
The Making All Voices Count Global Innovation Competition is one way that USAID and international partners are harnessing the growing presence and potential of cell phones. Three years ago, when we launched the competition to crowdsource research, ideas and fledgling projects in 12 African and Asian countries, we weren’t sure what to expect.
More than 544 applications were submitted. Ideas were diverse, ranging from using SMS text messages to monitor elections and report water supply problems to new mobile tools that improve access to data on where local governments budgeted resources.
As we launch the second round of the competition, I reflect on two takeaways from the winning proposals.
1.) Technology can foster stronger relationships
Imagine living in a place where speaking out against crime, even to the people who are supposed to be protecting you, may seem more harmful than helpful. This is what it is like in Liberia, where citizens have little trust in the police.
To give citizens a voice and to foster a dialogue on corruption with members of law enforcement, a new SMS hotline was created. Led by USAID partner Search for Common Ground, the new reporting tools enables anyone with a cell phone to monitor corruption in their community and report it to the police without fear of repercussions or shame.
This simple tool is breaking down the barrier between people and the police and building transparency into a component of good governance.
2.) Some solutions already exist, but just need to be reimagined
When the root of a problem is fundamental — like the lack of access to cell phones for some rural areas of Kenya — the most effective approach to improving governance combines existing communications tools with new technology. That is why the organizers behind Caritas-Kitui worked with women at a grassroots level to create songs and poetry about community issues that could be shared with their legislators in person and on broadcast radio — a medium that continues to be popular in Kenya.
In democracy building, as in many life challenges, solutions may be right in front of us. With this in mind, USAID is increasing its efforts to reach problem solvers who have great ideas for combining technology and citizen engagement to make their communities more resilient and peaceful.
New paths are emerging, and with time and the continued growth of tools and grassroots reform, I can envision a world that enables every citizen to be heard.
Susan Reichle, a career senior Foreign Service officer, is the counselor to the U.S. Agency for International Development, and has served in Haiti, Nicaragua, Russia and Colombia. Follow her @SusanReichle.
