The Internet is a new medium which is not yet fully understood.
There is beginnning to be research analyzing and documenting the unique
qualities of the Net. A broad question to be studied is what effect is
the Internet having on the world around us? Are there lasting changes
which alter the fabric of the world?
	I have been studying the Internet, Usenet and other on-line
computer communications media during my undergraduate and graduate 
studies in the United States. One particular interest has been trying to
understand the democraticizing potential of the Net. Part of my research
has been into the concept of Netizen, or global citizen as made possible
by the Net.  Netizens are active participants in a collective community
building the Net together. It is from the Net's development that we can
see how direct democracy might function.
	Also, I have conducted research documenting the history and
impact of the Internet on our society today. This research is a new field
and there are relatively few people doing such research around the
world. However, it is an important and growing new field of research as
shown by the court decision in the ACLU v. Reno case in the U.S. where
the judges noted the importance of the Internet and Usenet as "a new
medium of mass communication." In noting the failure of other means of
mass communication like newspapers and television to provide for
grassroots involvement, the judges observed that "It is no exaggeration
to conclude that the Internet has achieved, and continues to achieve, the
most participatory marketplace of mass speech that this country -- and
indeed the world -- has yet seen" They describe "the `democratizing'
effects of Internet communication: individual citizens of limited means
can speak to a worldwide audience on issues of concern to them...."
	In the area of politics a question to be studied is the impact of
the Net on governments and on participation by citizens in a
democracy. In the Netherlands there is a Digital City movement, which was
based on the Freenet movement in the USA and Canada, but which
differentiates itself by consciously aiming to involve citizens in local
government. The original DDS (de digitale stad) was formed in Amsterdam,
where there has already been preliminary research looking into the role
of computer communications in the local democratic renewal process. In
the Netherlands, there is a commitment towards democratic renewal. These
studies are exploring the possible uses of technology to contribute to
this democratic renewal.
	I am proposing to study in the Netherlands for an academic year
in order to expand my investigation of the impact the Net is having on
society, and in particular on political institutions. The DDS is an
example of a networking development created to further the democratic
renewal in Amsterdam. So it will be a main focus and area of my project.
	Scholars in the Netherlands, like those at Tilburg University,
are studying the possible political impact of information and
communication technologies (ICT). They are looking to see if these
technologies can encourage citizen participation and enthusiasm in the
governmental process. Some of this research has been initiated at the
request of government bodies. I propose to study various aspects of these
inititives by first studying the literature written by Dutch and other
scholars describing the initiatives and early evaluations. The two books
I will start with are "Emerging Electronic Highways" edited by Bekkers et
al, and "Orwell in Athens" edited by van de Donk et al. I will seek to
understand the questions the scholars are seeking to answer, the
theoretical approaches they are taking, and the data they are using. For
example I am aware of the broad question being examined of the gap
between the people and the politicians, but will seek to also understand
the narrow questions, and also to determine what additional data I might
gather by my on-line research methods which would contribute to this
work.
	Based on that study and previous research I would formulate a
research plan to try and learn how the people the early initiatives are
aimed at have responded and evaluated those initiatives. For example the
users of the Amsterdam DDS will have valuable opinions and feelings to
contribute to the evaluation of that DDS and other on-line forums. It
will be important to document what these new on-line users are doing to
actively contribute to the political process. It would also be
interesting to interview government officials about what they have
observed citizens doing with the technology to become more involved. I
would also explore why many people who use DDS are interested in the
democratic operation of DDS itself.  
	My research method would take several forms, such as face to face
Interviews; discussion in public online forums, such as newsgroups or
mailing lists; and discussions and interviews via email or unix talk with
individuals. I have substantial experience doing research on-line within
newsgroups and mailing lists. My Netizens research was pioneering in
using the on-line discussion forums as a field of research. This new
interactive medium requires new interactive forms of research. I would
take my previous research skills and apply them to the questions outlined
above and the experiments being conducted in the Netherlands.
	I would conduct the described study and research for at least 6
months.  Then, once the data is gathered, the rest of the second semester
would involve writing up an analysis of work, and presenting it both
on-line and to the scholars in the Netherlands and the operators of
DDS. The resulting paper will be presented early enough for commentary
and critique from both sources in an attempt to receive feedback and make
the most accurate contribution. I will attempt to make my resulting paper
valuable for those who are trying to develop the DDS movement, and those
who are studying it. I would then seek opportunities to present this
research to groups of people in the form of an introductory talk followed
by a roundtable discussion. I envision student groups, DDS users, and the
general public as interested audiences. My model for this is
presentations I have made at the New York Public Library and at Columbia
University.
	A year in the Netherlands studying the democratization process
and its relation to on-line communities will be important preparation for
my Ph.D. studies. The international perspective I will gain is crucial
for my future study of the global communication network, and will give a
basis for comparative studies. As the Net is an international medium and
phenomenon, it is important to study the Net in many countries, but
particularly one where forefront social research is being conducted. In
addition my research will be enhanced by the experience of working in a
community of people exploring other aspects of the social impact of these
new information and communication technologies of the Net.
	My departure from the U.S. would be sometime in August 1997. I
would conduct my research in English but I have begun studying Dutch and
will continue so that I have growing capability to communicate in Dutch
while in Holland. I have had language training in German in high school
and college.
	I have consulted with both Professor Frissen at Tilburg
University and Migel van Eeden of the Amsterdam DDS. Professor Frissen
has indicated that he accepts my research proposal and a letter of
affiliation is forthcoming. Migel van Eeden has stated that the
Amsterdam DDS will allow research as long as there is University
sponsorship.

[See also, 1-pg CV for Fulbright application: Story of Life ;) at: 
http://www.columbia.edu/~hauben/text/fulbright-cv.html]