Empowering citizens through digital governance: A maximizing governance and minimizing government initiative

Download This Article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This study examines how digital governance empowers citizens by improving governance functions with minimal government intervention. It explores the transition from a centralized bureaucratic model to a more decentralized, participatory governance model, with an emphasis on the role of technology in improving public service delivery, transparency, and accountability. The analysis conducted in the article draws on literature and case studies, including the e-residency program in Estonia and the Centralized Public Complaint Resolution and Oversight System (CPGRAMS) system in India, as integrating technology into governance structures can promote active citizenship and the co-creation of public value. The main findings identified show that citizen engagement directly impacts governance efficiency and the level of administrative burden, although challenges of digital inequality, lack of oversight, and civic illiteracy persist. The author argues that to achieve sustainable citizen empowerment, purposeful governance requires ongoing structural adjustments and the creation of more inclusive digital literacy programs. This study adds to the growing literature on participatory governance by illustrating how digital technologies help governments be more transparent, responsive, and efficient, thereby creating resilient and innovative communities. These findings should be useful for policymakers who want to use digital governance as a tool for sustainable development and social progress.

Keywords: Economic, Empowerment, Governance, Government, Management, Public Service

Authors’ individual contribution: The Author is responsible for all the contributions to the paper according to CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) standards.

Declaration of conflicting interests: The Author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

JEL Classification: D86, G34, G18, O32, H83

Received: 12.03.2025
Revised: 15.06.2025; 08.09.2025; 03.11.2025
Accepted: 19.11.2025
Published online: 21.11.2025

How to cite this paper: Dorasamy, N. (2025). Empowering citizens through digital governance: A maximizing governance and minimizing government initiative [Special issue]. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 14(4), 290–298. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i4siart6