網路化是近年來世界潮流的大勢所趨，雖然歷經一年來網路泡沫化的洗禮，但由於網路本身諸多的特性與優勢，如網路外部性、減少資訊不對稱、及降低交易成本等，使得網路化的觸角不斷擴張，由個人、家庭、企業、乃至目前政府大力提倡的「電子化政府」。網路化與資訊化的重要價值，乃在於使得資訊的傳遞更為快速、有效、及透明，這對於政府整體效率的提昇有絕對正面的影響。本文除了對網路的特性予以分析外，也介紹先進國家如何使用網際網路與相關資訊設備來增進政府與人民的互動及行政效率，並介紹目前我國中央與地方政府推行電子化政府的成果，然後提出一些看法，以作為我國發展電子化政府的參考。

The internet has been the global mainstream in recent years. It possesses such advantages as network externality, balancing asymmetric information and reducing transaction costs, so that individuals, families, firms and government are influenced by cybernization. The emergence of the internet facilitates the information flow-making it speedy and transparent, thus the electronic government is more efficient than the traditional one. In addition to discussing the above issues, this paper also looks at the experience of many developed countries on how they apply the internet and its related tools to run their governments. Next the development of Taiwan's electronic governments is illustrated. Finally, some suggestions are provided for the authorities to develop a successful electronic government.