A national web-based system called MyEmpowerNet.gov is proposed to empower citizens to become more involved in public decision making and to increase social capital. The system would be designed to allow citizens more voice in bureaucratic decision making on topics as diverse as the management of national forests to changes in local zoning ordinances. Each citizen would have a personal site on MyEmpowerNet.gov. The system would inform users of current and impending public federal, state, or local participation processes of potential interest to them. The system would help citizens organize their participation-related information. It is proposed that a new federal organization, titled the U.S. EmpowerNet Administration (USEA), be established to develop and manage the system and facilitate public participation nationwide. Major social and information science research issues will challenge the developers of My EmpowerNet.gov.
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