Free Software as a Democratic Principle

Knowledge Policy for the 21st Century: A Legal Perspective

Chapter 2

Free Software as a Democratic Principle

Nic Suzor, Brian Fitzgerald, & Mark Perry

Software forms an important part of the interface between citizens and
their government. An increasing amount of government functions are being
performed, controlled, or delivered electronically.1 This software, like all
language, is never value-neutral, but must, to some extent, reflect the values
of the coder and proprietor.2 The move that many governments are making
towards e-governance,3 and the increasing reliance that is being placed
upon software in government, necessitates a rethinking of the relationships
of power and control that are embodied in software.

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