Estonia is a state located in the Baltic region of Northern Europe and Saskatchewan is a province in Canada. Both are similar in population size as well as both are economically strong despite
the recession that Europe is experiencing and the fact that the US is still in recovery. The difference is that Estonia has implemented measures to maintain long term prosperity most notable through the use of e-government. Estonia is the birthplace of companies like Skype, PayPal and
Kazza. The country's three main features of the e-government is the use of a network that connects more than 100 municipal and national databases so that users do not have to repeatedly provide the same information. Estonia uses country-wide electronic ID which enables easy access to all e-services and enables citizens and businesses to access hundreds of e-services from one website.
Estonia holds world records in the speed in which someone can establish a business or file taxes. The country has connect their health care system and education system to create better efficiency
and
reduce cost. Estonia is a great example of how e-government can lead to an effective communication between the government, its citizen, and business. Many countries that have an e-government in place face problems like small number of e-services and their minimal integration of the information collect from citizens. Through the use of effectively integrated E-government, countries such as Saskatchewan to maximize the use of resources
which
will help their economy grow and become successful
in the world market.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/E-stonia-leads-way-with-e-government-199919991.html
For such a random country, Estonia sure has contributed a lot to the online government world. I think the U.S. should take a page from their book and incorporate electronic IDs in our country. It would definitely increase the efficiency. Everyone in America and countless other countries uses Skype. It's such a great invention that allows communication all over. PayPal, as well, is easy to use for buying things online.
ReplyDeleteThat country can be an example for many others, to use technology to improve their government facilities, and also to improve the process that citizens have to make every time they go to a governmental facility . The use of e-government in Estonia can be a leading example for to other countries to use technology to improve efficiency and reduce cost.
ReplyDeleteI had not previously heard of E-stonia, but they sound very impressive. Technology definitely can help to improve a countries economy. I think the key to it, which they have found, is not simply upgrading to the latest technology, but creating and designing newer and better technology.
ReplyDeleteLaura Mayhew
I agree that creating and designing newer technology is key for any country to advance, but we also have to find ways to interconnect technology to make it effective. If we don't say paypal took days to withdraw money from your account, it would be as effective if paypal interacted better with online banking.
Delete-Marvin Ferrufino
I love the thought of more a more efficient tax filing process, DMV interactions, and the like. There are, however, incredible security concerns with a centralized database containing sensitive information on all of the country's citizens, aren't there? Given the U.S. government's inability to adequately secure its websites and IT infrastructure (as evidenced by several high profile website hacks by the group Anonymous), I’m wary of them moving to a similar level of dependence on IT. My guess is that the U.S. has far more enemies than Estonia, who would love to take advantage of such a system.
ReplyDeleteI believe with increasing technology there is always a risk but the most anyone can hope for is to reduce the risk as much as possible. Keep in mind that without advanced IT many countries like the U.S would not be nearly as advance as it would be today. We would be using the internet and connecting to people around the world so we must always find ways to make our lives better.
DeleteSecurity is a big issue but companies and countries do try to minimize risk. A person at Bank of America came to speak in my class and he was explaining that the years leading up to online banking there was much fraud by employees. Bank of American actually hires people to try to hack into there systems (like most companies) and learn how to fix it. So the most we can do is minimize risk.
-Marvin Ferrufino
I'm thoroughly impressed with Estonia's jump into consolidation and streamlining their government. Something to always note, especially with European countries, is that many are the size of one of our states. So while we can say "we should take note" or our federal government should implement it, it is a whole different endeavor - far more complicated, yet worthwhile if our security can be more effective.
ReplyDelete-Mary Alice
I do agree that streamlining IT would be more difficult would be more difficult due to the size of the U.S. I feel that the key thing that would make it possible is cooperation between local, state, and federal government agencies. The U.S is definitely moving in that directions just like China and other super power countries. I feel its a question of the willingness to cooperate and time.
Delete-Marvin Ferrufino