ABSTRACT
As far as the meaning of these technological revolutions for the praxis of democratic governance is concerned, even a historical perspective (that normally discourages from an all too discontinuous interpretation of the implications of technological innovations) leads to quite conspicuous claims. Towards the end of the History of Government, in which Finer goes through some 5,000 years of empires, monarchies and states, the author almost subtly remarks: ‘In terms of its 5,200 years duration, government began yesterday’ (Finer 1997:1624).
