Netpolitique : You wrote that the United States is lagging behind Europe in using the Internet for online politics and issue advocacy. This goes against most commonly held beliefs overseas, i.e. that American-style net-campaigning is more sophisticated and political organizations are more technology-savvy than their European counterparts. What has made you come to this judgement?

P.Noble : There are varying level of sophistication with use of the internet and politics in the US and Europe. While it is true that there are more individual candidate websites in US politics many of the European leaders seem to better understand the potential better than their US counterparts. Blair's pledge to have a fully digital government by 2005 (I think that is the date) is much bolder and more far sighted than any US politician. Countries like Finland, Sweden, Singapore and even Estonia seem to have made a bigger commitment at the highest levels to using the Internet in government. One other example, I think what the EU Student Vote is doing with organizing online parties and voting is probably the most important election that is taking place in the world this year.


Netpolitique.net : As an experienced international political consultant, you are used to exporting American techniques and campaign tactics to other countries. It is probably unprecedented however to see an American political consultant import political recipes from overseas. Is there one thing in particular you've "brought back in your luggage" to implement it in the US?

P.Noble : There is a lot that I have learned internationally that applies here in the US, or will apply in the near future. The use of SMS in Japan, UK and Scandinavia is way ahead of what is happening here. The system of electoral targeting done by the Swedish Social Democrats is the best in the world (or was the last time I looked). Political consultant in Spain, Italy, France and Europe as a whole understand political posters and graphics better than in the US.

Netpolitique.net : Online politics undoubtedly has a very bright future. What does the future hold for PoliticsOnline? Will you develop your business in Europe or will you focus on the US?

P.Noble : From day one, PoliticsOnline has had a global focus. Of course we do more in the US than anywhere else but we are extremely active internationally. I/3 of our readers to our free newsletters are international. Our Instant OnlineFundraiser was used successfully in presidential elections in Chile and Mexico. Our Latin America partner www.electorales.com is the best in Latin America. We will continue to expand globally and are always on the look out for new international partners.


Netpolitique.net : Finally, our traditional end-of-interview question: what are your top 3 bookmarks?

P.Noble: BBC News is the best news site in the world...and getting better. I spend a lot of time on AOL just because they are AOL...you can't ignore 38 million subscribers. Nickelodeon because I try to keep up with what my kids (aged 10 & 11) are interested in.

http://www.politicsonline.com

Le livre du mois

Les Blogs
de
Benoit
Desavoye

 Détails