Title: Citizens and bureaucracy: electronic participation in regulatory processes

Authors: David Eduardo Cavazos

Addresses: Anderson School of Management, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA

Abstract: Agency rulemaking is a dominant form of regulation in the USA. Because of a recently developed electronic interface, it is additionally the most accessible form of political participation. Accordingly, this research explores the nature of electronic political interactions with regulatory agencies. Examining electronic submissions made during rulemaking comment periods, I illustrate how varying degrees of agency and commenter participation impact policy outcomes. Examining three US regulatory agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), reveals that agency participation moderates the impact that electronic comments have on comment period outcomes. Results suggest that electronic participation in the rulemaking process creates a context of dynamic political interaction among commenters and agencies. Moreover, this political context is one where policy outcomes are predicted by the nature and scope of electronic political participation.

Keywords: electronic government; regulatory agencies; electronic participation; rulemaking process; e-participation; e-government; electronic political interaction; policy outcomes; political participation; politics; regulation.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2011.037697

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2011 Vol.8 No.1, pp.59 - 72

Published online: 25 Dec 2010 *

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