The Atlantic

Democracy Has a Design Problem

“What exactly do you do when you go to the polling place?”
Source: Fred Prouser / Reuters/ Zak Bickel / The Atlantic

Technology alone can’t save democracy. When technology is designed and used well, it can make it easier for people to participate in elections and other activities of civic life. But when it’s not, technology that promises to help ends up being harmful.

Some tools or programs meant to improve access to information are only available to people who are comfortable with technology, who have smartphones, and can afford good data plans.

What happens to the

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