This paper explores the claims of technology's ability to enhance citizen participation, with particular attention focused on the Internet. The claims are grounded within the larger context of political theory, specifically the tension between representative and direct forms of democracy. Sections of the paper are: Introduction; "What's Wrong with Government and Politics Today?"; "The Citizens We Ought To Be"; "The Citizens We Are"; "Elitist Theory of Democracy and the Argument for Representative Democracy"; "Increasing Citizen Participation: The Pros and Cons"; "Information Technology and Citizen Participation"; "Internet as Democracy's Venue"; "Internet: Democratic to a Fault"; "The Internet and Electronic Democracy: Under Construction"; and Conclusion. (Contains 19 references.) (EH)