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>From the main home page <http://www.eu2003.gr/en/cat/0/index.asp> of the Greek Presidency of the EU you will find a Citizens' Space forum <http://www.eu2003.gr/en/forum/> on special topics and a well promoted E-Vote <http://evote.eu2003.gr> survey tool. Yesterday, I noted that the EU as a whole has a website on the Iraq situation <http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/iraqsit/>. Far below are the results from 100,000 responses to the E-Vote's survey on the Iraq situation. Government sponsored online surveys/polls raise all sorts of questions about the value of such efforts and the time asked of citizens to participate ... who monitors the results of these polls, how are the results disseminated, what if any response is given and by whom, who gets to choose the questions, etc.? If done well and placed in the proper political context, online surveys can be designed to inform the decision-making process and to promote better service to citizens. At first glance, this site has done one of the better jobs with government hosted online surveys to date (there haven't been very many). However, in the forum area, the first topic "Which policies and measures would, in your opinion, contribute to strengthening the social dimension of the European Union?" is not what you call an invigorating topic. Only 56 comments have been received thus far. However, I like the structured format where they present one topic at a time. However, as I note in my online consultation tips article <http://publicus.net/articles/consult.html> you need an e-mail "hook" and an e-mail newsletter that highlights the best contributions and creates an incentive for people to come back. When does topic 2, 3, or 4 start? As a plus, they do have some personalization features <http://my.eu2003.gr>, but I am still waiting for my password to arrive ... Steven Clift Democracies Online http://www.e-democracy.org/do From: http://evote.eu2003.gr/EVOTE/en/introduction.stm e-Democracy for the EU Welcome and Introduction Welcome to e-Vote: vote for the EU YOU want! E-Vote is an exciting new experiment of the Greek EU Presidency to use the Internet and new technology to get more people involved in the discussions and decision-making process of the EU. It is a way to give people a vote and a voice - to find out what you think is important and to include your ideas and suggestions about what YOU want the EU to be. This is a unique and historic time for the EU and the people of Europe. The EU is changing dramatically as we expand from 15 to 25 members. With the Internet, now people have new ways to express their opinions and interact with others who share their ideas and concerns. Although the digital divide is still a problem that must be bridged, these two factors offer us many new opportunities for expanding and enriching democracy in the EU. Over the next few months of the Greek Presidency, you will have the chance to be a part of these big changes - to vote on important issues, ask questions, and offer your ideas and suggestions. It's a new opportunity to participate in the future of Europe - its e- democracy. So now it's YOUR turn. Vote for the EU YOU want. The survey results if you take their (now slightly dated) survey on the Iraq crisis: The Iraq Crisis Current Results 101464 votes have been cast so far The Iraq Crisis Questions in the blue background are required and questions in the olive background are optional. 1. There are a number of different actors involved in the crisis on Iraq. Rate your general feeling about each on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being very favorable and 10 being very unfavorable. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The United Nations The European Union Iraq The United States 2. Given what you know about the situation today, do you think an attack on Iraq is justified? Yes, definitely Yes, but I am somewhat uncomfortable No, it is not necessary now Definitely not 3. Do you believe that Iraq currently has biological or chemical weapons, or other weapons of mass destruction? Definitely not Probably not Probably does Definitely does I don’t know 4. Do you think the US will attack Iraq regardless of UN decisions and international law? Yes, for sure Yes, probably Probably not Definitely not 5. Based on what you know now, which comes closest to your view? If there is a war with Iraq: My country should join with the US and others and send troops My country should support the US and others, perhaps send money, but not send troops My country should remain neutral My country should support Iraq My country should use diplomatic means instead of military force 6. If a war happens, the 15 countries of the European Union will all be affected in some way. Which comes closest to your view? Each country should independently decide what their policy toward the war should be If most EU countries have similar policies, the EU should actively participate in support of these policies There needs to be a common EU policy that everyone agrees with, before any significant actions are taken The Iraq Crisis Questions in the blue background are required and questions in the olive background are optional. 7. People have suggested many different reasons for the crisis with Iraq. For each of the reasons given below, do you think it is a: Very important Important Not very important Not important at all Struggle for control over oil and oil reserves The Israeli-Palestinian conflict The US desire to dominate the world An action to remove chemical and biological weapons and weapons of mass destruction from Iraq Regime change by removing Saddam Hussein from power A clash between Christian and Islamic cultures and values ... Current Results 101464 votes have been cast so far View EU country specific numbers » There are a number of different actors involved in the crisis on Iraq. Rate your general feeling about each on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being very favorable and 10 being very unfavorable. The United Nations Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: 1 15.6% 2 10.1% 3 14% 4 9.5% 5 16.8% 6 7.3% 7 7.5% 8 7.8% 9 3.6% 10 7.8% The European Union Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: 1 10.1% 2 8.4% 3 13.3% 4 11.2% 5 20.3% 6 9.4% 7 8.8% 8 8.2% 9 3.8% 10 6.5% Iraq Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: 1 9.4% 2 4.5% 3 5.7% 4 5.2% 5 15.5% 6 7.3% 7 9.2% 8 11.4% 9 9.2% 10 22.5% The United States Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: 1 15% 2 3.6% 3 2.7% 4 1.8% 5 3.5% 6 1.8% 7 2.7% 8 5.6% 9 7.8% 10 55.5% Given what you know about the situation today, do you think an attack on Iraq is justified? Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Yes, definitely 2.3% Yes, but I am somewhat uncomfortable 4.5% No, it is not necessary now 35.8% Definitely not 57.3% Do you believe that Iraq currently has biological or chemical weapons, or other weapons of mass destruction? Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Definitely not 2.9% Probably not 25.6% Probably does 47.4% Definitely does 6.5% I don’t know 17.6% Do you think the US will attack Iraq regardless of UN decisions and international law? Your choice was: "Yes, for sure" The rest of the people have chosen: Yes, for sure 48.5% Yes, probably 46.5% Probably not 4.5% Definitely not 0.6% Based on what you know now, which comes closest to your view? If there is a war with Iraq: Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: My country should join with the US and others and send troops 3.5% My country should support the US and others, perhaps send money, but not send troops 2.2% My country should remain neutral 10.3% My country should support Iraq 2.4% My country should use diplomatic means instead of military force 81.5% If a war happens, the 15 countries of the European Union will all be affected in some way. Which comes closest to your view? Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Each country should independently decide what their policy toward the war should be 10.5% If most EU countries have similar policies, the EU should actively participate in support of these policies 14.2% There needs to be a common EU policy that everyone agrees with, before any significant actions are taken 75.3% People have suggested many different reasons for the crisis with Iraq. For each of the reasons given below, do you think it is a: Struggle for control over oil and oil reserves Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Very important 79% Important 15.1% Not very important 4% Not important at all 1.8% The Israeli-Palestinian conflict Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Very important 14% Important 37.7% Not very important 35.3% Not important at all 13% The US desire to dominate the world Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Very important 58.4% Important 27.5% Not very important 8% Not important at all 6.1% An action to remove chemical and biological weapons and weapons of mass destruction from Iraq Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Very important 8.7% Important 24.3% Not very important 47.5% Not important at all 19.5% Regime change by removing Saddam Hussein from power Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Very important 31.1% Important 36.2% Not very important 23.8% Not important at all 9% A clash between Christian and Islamic cultures and values Your choice was: The rest of the people have chosen: Very important 4.8% Important 15.2% Not very important 33.9% Not important at all 46.1% ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - W: http://www.publicus.net Minneapolis - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - - - ICQ: 13789183 *** Past Messages, Discussion http://e-democracy.org/do *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
