Introduction

Abstract

Using gamification in policymaking and involving citizens is nothing new. In ancient Rome, the audience in the Circus Maximus was involved in decision making by voting with either a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down gesture. Moreover, gamification is a basic principle of democracy. Direct democracy in classical Athens strongly resembled today’s modern casting shows. The advantage and hence the attractiveness of gamification to citizens’ participation is rooted in the equal voting weight of every citizen, the non-determinedness of results, clear and fair rules, and the openness/transparency of the decision-making process with a visible influence of the people on the outcome. Democracies that stick with these principles remain popular and stable because gamification ensures that the gap between the ruling elites and the people does not get too large.