““The first report suggests that “social computing could play an increasingly important role in re-engaging citizens in political debate, in securing social cohesion and harmony, and it could provide a platform for dialogue on the grand challenges of the EU [European Union] and the rest of the world.” The second report encourages “policy makers to seize the opportunities of social computing but also to mitigate any undesirable effects” and laments the “limited provision of citizen-centered public services by governments.” The report further warns “that the empowerment and transparency characteristics of social computing initiatives seem to disrupt existing power balances.””
