State politicians are beginning to use the wisdom of the crowd to write legislation
Sarah Cove interviews Utah State Rep. Steve Urquhart on May 23, 2007
Utah Rep. Steve Urquhart was elected to the state Legislature in 2000. The Republican legislator has been exploring ways to to use Web 2.0 technology to engage his constituents in informing him and each other and in enriching political discussions. Urquhart began blogging at SteveU in November 2004. In January 2007, he started Politicopia a wiki where people can congregate and discuss issues and legislation. The wiki just completed its first legislative session, and Urquhart is planning the next iteration.
Q: What is crowdsourced politics?
Steve Urquhart: Crowdsourcing is simply good politics. ... Crowdsourcing goes back centuries. Even before Web 2.0 came along, a good politician would involve the public and constituents in political activities, and I don't mean just campaign activities. There's a big distinction. Politicians would go to people that were passionate politically and get them involved. They did so by providing research and information on bills, vetting information with them, and incorporating their input into the bills.
5/25/07
