[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n 2018 the digitisation experienced across our daily life is immense. Underpinned by technological growth, the past decade has seen rapid changes to the way in which we work, travel and have fun, due to the digital economy. And the pace and scale of change is only set to grow in future.
But for all the change we have witnessed across business and entertainment, within the public sector—and specifically surrounding the growth of e-Governance—the shifts have been more gradual, and subtle. But it’ll not stay this way for long, especially with the greater adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and the increased connectivity of human beings to the digital arena.
Let’s look now at the state of e-Governance (eGov): its potential within the Caribbean and what hurdles remain in its adoption.
WHAT DOES AN eGOV NATION LOOK LIKE?
In its simplest form, the growth of eGov in public bodies seeks to see the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into existing processes and services.
Accordingly, the growth of eGov in a society is a shift towards a more fair, open and decent community. The values of these high ideals should not be dismissed, but they also mustn’t overshadow that greater eGov means more practical results, too.
The growth of eGov in a nation’s public institutions doesn’t demand huge and sweeping change, Instead, it can remove a number of the existing frustrations in daily life that make a citizen’s interactions with government irritating. Just like online banking removed the need to queue at the bank weekly, eGov streamlines processes.
When a citizen’s health records are stored in a national database, shifting between medical providers becomes seamless, instead of generating a mountain of new paperwork each time. Similarly, while few people find the process of doing their taxes thrilling, a tax database with an employer’s records allows for much of a tax return to be pre-filled digitally before it’s started.
Beyond the individual, the greatest advantage of eGov comes with its benefits community-wide.
That journey between the two doctors? The doctors save time on paperwork. The automatic pre-filling of info for a tax-return? This can save countless hours spent by public servants in a government’s finance departments.
But make no mistake, eGov is also engaging and inspiring. Whatever your views, all can agree liberal democracies usually see two opposing viewpoints when it comes to government. The first, often right-leaning, seeks a truly lean government of essential services only. The second, usually left-leaning, seeks a bigger government to ensure it leads economic growth and welfare.
It’s here that the potential for eGov is really exciting as it could bring these two perspectives closer. Its greater growth would see conservatives happy that government money is not being ill-spent on an over-staffed public service. Liberals see in eGov a way for all citizens to get fair access to services, and expand those services affordably.
WHAT CHANGE DOES eGOV DELIVER?
The optimism for eGov globally is well-founded. Especially given that its processes have already been implemented successfully in numerous nations. For those looking for a proof of concept, many states are looking to provide a leading example.
As is often the case in the digital sphere, the Eastern European nation of Estonia is a leader in showing how eGov can work. Estonia’s government claims 99% of its digital services are online.
The national government in Tallinn has made commendable progress. In under 30 years Estonia has grown from a new republic emerging from the shadow of the USSR, to now being acclaimed as the most advanced digital society in the world. eGov is at the core of this shift, and has been closely tied into Estonia’s e-Democracy initiatives.
It’s true that eGov and e-Democracy (eDem) are separate. Authoritarians can digitise government processes (with surveillance and suppression of people usually at the top of this), while really good democratic nations can observe civil freedom, even if slow to introduce new technological processes.
But while eGov and eDem can be separate, they are best interwoven, particularly in developing nations, and developed nations who have strong democratic foundations already.
Ultimately, the advent of technology that allows for a greater adoption of both eGov and eDem does place greater pressure on authoritarian regimes. This dynamic has many implications for our region as Caribbean nations explore a future with eGov.
eGOV IN THE CARIBBEAN
Within the Caribbean’s 30 nations there’s diverse experience with eGov. At one end of the spectrum is Jamaica. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced mid-last year his government’s ambition to become the first fully digital government in our region. This would spearhead a new chapter that Trinidad and Tobago, and many other regional nations, have contributed to.
Holness emphasised the benefits in service provision. A digitised Jamaican government would mean cutting queues, optimising government efficiencies, and freeing citizens from long and bothersome ‘red tape’ of many present interactions with government. This goal required a bold but clear-cut first step: establish the National Identification Systems (NIDS), but the public rancour since, illustrates a key hurdle to eGov adoption.
The challenges for Kingston notwithstanding, in Cuba the real tension between an eGov programme and eDem initiatives can be seen. While eGov adoption can occur independently of eDem from a technical perspective, suspicion of the latter invariably delays progress of the former.
Recently Cuba’s ruling political party elected a new leader, the first of the post-Castro era. New president Miguel Díaz-Canel had previously cited internet use as an area for reform, but his latest comments were accompanied by other public musings praising journalists for their role as official supporters of the government’s agenda. A technologically open Cuban internet won’t find great use if suppression of free speech remains.
A more open society will create the conditions for greater progress on eGov initiatives, even if they don’t occur hand-in-hand with eDem reforms. All governments have to consider hurdles surrounding privacy and security when pursuing initiatives and reforms, but when a foundation of transparency and accountability exists, it’s conducive to eGov growth.
WINNING THE PUBLIC VOTE
Any assessment of eGov’s future in the Caribbean must also consider existing infrastructure. Increasing internet connectivity and the speed of connections are key goals. Also, decreasing electricity prices, as any expectation that people of the Caribbean will happily engage in wider eGov and eDem services would be tested if it also means a more costly bill each month.
While these challenges are real, greater eGov adoptions remains an exciting prospect, and there are terrific opportunities in our region and beyond. Though still in its infancy, the D7 (until recently the D5, prior to Uruguay and Canada’s joining) is recognised as a leading global group of aspiring digital government nations—and they are keen for more members.
In complement to the greater growth of eGov and eDem processes, the D7 also holds wider goals, most notably to see children taught to code. This is something we in the Caribbean can commend, and support. With the addition of some Caribbean nations in the group, the region could play a leading role in the global shift towards greater eGov and eDem around the globe.
