Cidadania Digital e Participação Política: O Caso das Petições Online e do Orçamento Participativo

The profound changes in the paradigm of contemporary society resulting from the acceleration of globalization and the exponential increase of ICTs, lead us to reflect on the emergence of new participatory public spaces, fundamentally online spaces, that provide a new range of possibilities for the consolidation of democratic ideals, founded on popular sovereignty, followed by the active participation and political culture of its citizens. This article analysis two instruments of political participation used in Portugal: Online Petitions and Participatory Budget; through the use of quantitative analysis of Online Petitions and its consequences in Parliament discussion and deliberation and survey (Participatory Budget) to collect citizens’ attitudes, opinions and behaviors. Framed by the concepts of digital citizenship and political participation, to a better approach to the degree of appreciation and use by the citizens. Taking to account the lake of interest in politics, and the weak participation of citizens, it is essential to understand if new instruments of institutionalized participation are appreciated by the citizens and contribute to the formation of an active citizenship