Big Data and Dahl’s Challenge of Democratic Governance

Alex Ingrams

Review of Policy Research, 2019, vol. 36, issue 3, 357-377

Abstract: Big data applications have been acclaimed as potentially transformative for the public sector. But, despite this acclaim, most theory of big data is narrowly focused around technocratic goals. The conceptual frameworks that situate big data within democratic governance systems recognizing the role of citizens are still missing. This paper explores the democratic governance impacts of big data in three policy areas using Robert Dahl’s dimensions of control and autonomy. Key impacts and potential tensions are highlighted. There is evidence of impacts on both dimensions, but the dimensions conflict as well as align in notable ways and focused policy efforts will be needed to find a balance. 大数据和达尔对民主治理发起的挑战 大数据应用已被誉为能为公共部门带来潜在转变。然而，尽管受到赞扬，关于大数据的大多数理论仅聚焦于技术官僚目标。仍然缺失的是一系列概念框架，用于将大数据置于民主治理体系，认可公民角色。本文通过使用罗伯特·达尔关于控制和自治的理论，探索了大数据在三个政策领域中产生的民主治理影响。本文强调了关键影响和潜在紧张趋势。结论发现，控制和自治这两个方面都受到了影响，但控制和自治既相互冲突，又相互联系。需要做出政策努力从而在这二者间寻求平衡。 Los macrodatos y el desafío de Dahl de la gobernabilidad democrática Las aplicaciones de Big Data han sido aclamadas como potencialmente transformadoras para el sector público. Pero, a pesar de esta aclamación, la mayor parte de la teoría de big data está centrada estrechamente en torno a objetivos tecnocráticos. Todavía faltan los marcos conceptuales que ubican los datos masivos dentro de los sistemas de gobernabilidad democrática que reconocen el papel de los ciudadanos. Este documento explora los impactos de los macrodatos en la gobernabilidad democrática en tres áreas de políticas que utilizan las dimensiones de control y autonomía de Robert Dahl. Se resaltan los impactos clave y las tensiones potenciales. Existe evidencia de impactos en ambas dimensiones, pero las dimensiones entran en conflicto y se alinean de manera notable y se necesitarán esfuerzos de políticas enfocados para encontrar un equilibrio.

Date: 2019
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