The Myths of E-Government: Looking Beyond the Assumptions of a New and Better Government

Abstract

In general, rhetoric and myth play important roles in policymaking. Myths may inspire collective action but may also mystify and blur views on reality. In this article we identify, analyze, and reflect on the myths underlying the e-government programs of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Netherlands. We found that in all national policies myths of technological inevitability, a new and better government, rational information planning, and empowerment of the intelligent citizen can be discerned. Although the mobilizing powers of these myths are acknowledged, we conclude that existing empirical studies have generated little support for the inescapable telos of these myths, which makes canvas cleaning effects of e-government initiatives less likely.

Keywords:

• e-government
• institutional innovation
• myths in policy processes
• public policy

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the two anonymous reviewers as well as the editors for their helpful suggestions and constructive comments. Prof. Dr Victor J. J. M. Bekkers is professor of public administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Dr Vincent M. F. Homburg is associate professor of public administration at the same university.