India: 8.8% GDP Growth – A Model for Government as a Platform?

India Economic Summit - Is Their Growth an Indication of a Good Government Platform?

India Economic Summit - Is Their Growth an Indication of a Good Government Platform?

Bloomberg coveredthe release of India’s quarterly GDP growth.  And at 8.8% it is impressive.  Quite healthy internals and an interesting point for us to consider from a platform perspective.

While the mass of the remaining world economies continue to struggle, the question is why is India so successful?  While an argument can clearly be made that lower wage rates continue to drive production in India, what is interesting if you dig into the GDP numbers and take a look at their monetary policy it is clear that they are looking closely at RISING wage rates throughout the country.  In addition the access that folks have to cash from those rising wages is having a positive impact on domestic consumption.

So while our main arguments for treating Government as a Platform for change surround open government data and precepts around technology, it extends into vital areas like the economy.  In general I am a laissez-faire type of economic thinker, but the crisis and those growing their way out of it strongly suggest that active participation is far healthier than governments slow to interject their power into the economy.  Again, our belief on this blog that platforms are far better than direct service provision is illustrative here.

Economy watchers that manage inflation actively and without fear will create a platform safe for growth in the private sector while dominance in terms of market control may unneccessarily restrain or spook capital.  The platform approach appears to be a good balance between the two in economic terms, as well as technological terms.

This leads to an interesting output.  In a conversation with a colleague yesterday about the IMF and the WorldBank, the question arose about whether we could affect the austerity programs inside these organizations to include precepts about open government and open data in particular.  It is not an easy question, but one that is vital.  If we look at the WorldBank alone in terms of cash flows, we could see an awful lot of impact simply by placing a requirement inside of their granting programs that mirror some of the admittedly controversial austerity programs in the IMF programs.

Let me be clear, I am not sure our definitions in this space are clear and fair enough yet for us to push for austerity inclusion right now, but I do think we should have the conversation.  I think we have an opportunity and an obligation to engage in a conversation that would enable some of our lesser developed nations to develop into more effective organizations based upon Government as a Platform thinking as opposed to the world funding more governmental vending machines.

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Russia: Medvedev and Bono Meet

Russia: Can Gov20 Creep into Bono and Medvedev Meeting?

Russia: Can Gov20 Creep into Bono and Medvedev Meeting?

Over at Russia Blog they are covering Bono’s visit with Medvedev to discuss a range of topics at Medvedev’s Sochi residence.

While there is no coverage of Government as a Platform in the discussions (still need to get that call back from U2), it certainly shows a willingness to think outside of the box a bit.  Having world leaders listen to diverse viewpoints is a great step toward thinking differently about how government itself should work.  That is indeed a step toward reform that might allow GAAP thinking to creep in the right way.

Would love to hear from any of our readers about whether open government made it into any of the conversations between the two…

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India: Rahul Gandhi a Popular Facebook Player

Rahul with Gauri Khan at a Kolkata Knight Riders match in IPL

Rahul with Gauri Khan at a Kolkata Knight Riders match in IPL

India is an incredible country, with many challenges.  While I will write many things on this blog about the challenges facing India, from traffic to economic growth, social media is important to Government 2.0 efforts there.

Rahul Gandhi is an important player in Indian politics.  As an MP and the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, he is being asked to join the national political fray on a regular basis.  His famous mother, and of course, his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, have all had great influence on his upbringing and potential passion for politics.

And he may be well suited to work to bring Government 2.0 and its commitment to transparency to the world’s largest democracy.

India Today writes about RG’s following on Facebook.  Apparently he may not have set up the page, but he is garnering fans rapidly.  Certainly that is not enough to show whether he will be committed to open government, open data initiatives or accountability, transparency and engagement, but hey, it certainly can’t hurt.

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China: Government 2.0 and Wen Jiabao – Reform We Can Help With

Government 2.0 - Can PRC be the Great Government as a Platform?

Government 2.0 - Can PRC be the Great Government as a Platform?

While I was on vacation, something amazing may have happened.

Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, gave a speech that one official newspaper called one of “extraordinary importance”.  “People’s democratic rights and legitimate rights must be guaranteed. People should be mobilized and organized to deal with, in accordance with the law, state, economic, social and cultural affairs,” Wen stated.  While critics are very active right now and making mention of political motivations, I think our Government 2.0 global community has an obligation to accept the PM’s words as an honest effort to couple the incredible economic expansion in China with potential political reforms.

I have had the honor to brief multiple members of the government in PRC and have been unbelievably impressed by the dedication of the officials I have met with.  I have had very open conversations with them about the power of technology in new governmental efforts to bring citizens closer to their government.  I believe, especially given the location of the comments, this is an opportuntiy to have the largest polity on the planet embrace the tenets of Government as a Platform for change.

The comments were made at Shenzhen, which most of you will recall was also the location that Deng Xiaoping announced rock solid commitment to market oriented reforms back in 1992.  Deng’s comments then may have been part of what saved the world’s economy a decade later as we find our way through this crisis. 

Could Mr. Wen’s comments unleash a similar commitment to Open Government in PRC?  Could this somewhat downplayed set of comments actually have China showing the rest of the world what true commitment to open government could be everywhere?

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Resorts as a Platform – FixingPotholes Vacation Edition #gov20

Resort as a Platform - Vacation 2.0 or Open Govenment Takes a Vacation

Resort as a Platform - Vacation 2.0 or Open Govenment Takes a Vacation

So, my family kidnapped me and brought me to one of my favorite places on the planet – Mexico.  While they allowed me to bring my devices, the rule was I could only blog about vacation.  I may have found a good way to accomplish both.

When we come to Mexico for vacation we always stay at all-inclusive resorts.  We certainly end up paying a bit more, but we love the easiness involved and happily do so.  We also always return with a smile on our faces and we never have to think hard about booking the next trip.

This year I came to Mexico right after blogging more than a few times about Government as a Platform.  And it is through that lens that I have seen a new Mexico this time.  One which is doing an incredible job of providing its citizens – tourists, employees and vendors, with an enviable experience that leaves them all wanting more, being very pleased with the experience and returning, like my family and I, happily again and again.  How are they so successful?

Resort as a Platform!

That’s right, they built this place, and the others we have gone to that were successful as a platform.  They highly capitalized the physical infrastructure build and perform the maintenance and necessary upkeep, but they do not provide many of the services themselves.  Vendors provide us all with an array of services that each of them are highly specialized in.  From ceramic painting, to face painting, surf boards, sail boats, restaurants, dress shops, jewelery vendors, photographers, spas and more are all provided by others.  The resort build the platform and innovators have built upon it.

And it is a great model.  The resort ensures the platform remains a healthy ecosystem, with safety, cleanliness and other things being top of mind.  They have partnered with the government to extend the platform, including a new freeway to ensure visitors, first responders and commerce can get here quickly.  An airport to serve the global visitors.  A heightened degree of public safety to ensure folks that they are safe while here.  But they don’t do the innovative things.  They realize vendors will be closer to the customer and be able to increase agility.  If people start to prefer sailing over windsurfing, the vendors switch.  As clothing styles change they do again.  As new spa treatments come and go, the vendors adjust.

And it works, very well.  As I said, we return each year as very happy “citizens”.  We pay more than we should, because the platform and extensions work well.  And even with some reports on safety in Mexico, the platform was able to respond well due to their focus, by beefing up publiclly viewable security efforts, great job.

Now imagine that we could do these types of things in a Government Platform.  One of my ongoing concerns in Government is the perception of the civil service which is way off from reality in many cases.  What if instead of dreading the next DMV visit, you actually enjoyed the experience a bit.  What if you could perform civic responsibilities in a fun way that was not only easily, but greatly informative.  And what if instead of lines to check on the cleanliness of a resort beach in Europe you got exactly what you needed, quickly and in a way that was visually pleasing as well?  think it isn’t possible?

Check out Eye on Earth and submit a text on a water incident.  Go submit an issue through HeyGov.  Plan your trip using Vanguide.  These are just the tip of the iceberg and there is much more on the way if we focus on the platform.

And thanks for letting me sneak in a blog post Kathleen :)

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Other Pothole Blogs

Politicos point out potholes in this apparently dead blog...

Politicos point out potholes in this apparently dead blog...

Very sad to see this blog apparently stopped in 2009.  The pictures are awesome.

And this one apparently stopped activity in January.

Halifax is still very active, way to go Canada!

Milton Keynes Councillor keeps up the pressure on Potholes!  The LibDems are focusing on the right thing from this blog’s perspective :)

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Germany: #gov20 Camp v2.0 is Looking Great in Berlin

Government 2.0 Camp in Berlin last year - Great Open Government Data Breakout Session

Government 2.0 Camp in Berlin last year - Great Open Government Data Breakout Session

I attended last year’s event in Berlin and it was incredible.  Hard to believe the the organizing team is already ready for v2.0 in their GovCamp and that it is shaping up so well.

Looks like they will take it to the next level this time, focusing on connecting beginners in web 2.0 in Government to those who have done it before.  Also, looks like they may focus on the next steps in terms of getting some good wins under the movement’s belt.

I have attended many global government 2.0 camps and I have to say that Germany does an incredible job.  Well worth the time if you are nearby and well worth the investment if you need to travel.  I think I will be making the trip, so happy to connect to folks in real life at the event, just drop me a line.

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