Examining the Relationship between Digital Exclusion and Citizens' E-Participation in Municipalities: The Case of Ankara, Türkiye

Date

2025-5

Author

Karabulut, Niyazi

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The path to a participatory democratic system involves removing barriers to participation for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in society. Indeed, the definition of citizen participation includes ensuring equal opportunities for engagement, thereby fostering a truly democratic environment. In this context, e-participation requires both equitable access to and effective use of information and communication technologies. Whether marginalized groups can be digitally included through e-participation remains an open question. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between e-participation and digital exclusion at the municipal level in Ankara, Türkiye. In addition to the primary research question “ What is the relationship between digital exclusion and e-participation in municipal processes in Türkiye?”, the study seeks to answer three sub-questions: “What are the individual and environmental factors that influence different types of e- participation in municipal decision processes and the use of various e-participation tools?”, “What is the impact of digital exclusion on different types/levels of online citizen participation?”, and “What is the impact of digital exclusion on using various eparticipation tools at the municipal level?” To address these questions, an explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through cross-sectional surveys conducted with 1,000 citizens in Ankara, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with IT experts from 10 different municipalities in Ankara. The research findings reveal that digital exclusion remains a significant barrier to citizens’ e-participation in municipal processes. However, overcoming this barrier requires addressing not only digital exclusion but also all other dynamics related to e-participation.

Subject Keywords

e-participation, digital exclusion, digital divide, Türkiye, citizen engagement in local governments

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/114567

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis