While I understand the argument for improved data connection between state and community, I doubt that it is the only problem. Mismatched Ontologies argues that with improved connection, problems will be fixed, siting India as an example. I disagree. Data does not plague these nations and it is the least of their concerns. Every government in the world is corrupt and is essentially nothing but a group of rich citizenry. For example, Alaska has tried many times, and succeeded sometimes, to build a road to nowhere; despite the cost and uselessness of the project.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/20/opinion/20lende.html
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-babbitt-road-to-nowhere-alaska-20140311-story.html
In this case, there is data yet no improvement. The main problem with governments is self-interest and improvement in power and wealth. The governments in most “third world” countries do not answer directly to the people. Even if the people had a problem, there would be no need to listen. Powers are not motivated to act unless there is a threat behind the complaint. For instance, my apartment is brand new and yet the dishwasher was installed so that it only opens half way. Due to lack of communication and intelligence, the dishwasher hits the stove. Even when I make a complaint, maintenance refuses to fix the mistake. When my father makes the complaint, he is the one who pays, people are more inclined to listen. Still the problem has not been fixed. It is the same with every problem in these countries.
Even if the government wanted to listen, growing population and increasing national debt discourage any infrastructure improvement. Most “third world” countries are heavily in debt to their former colonizers that they cannot afford to fix their own problems. Instead, the poor economic system allows foreign countries to manipulate the poorer workers into working for less. Very few outside organizations will help improve the infrastructure as it is their source of cheap labor.
The fact is, the average citizen has so much working against him that reporting his problems in the correct manner is useless. The only way I can see change in the flooding of India is if a major factory or foreign company becomes water-logged. Only with influence from a rich source can improvements be made; either that or one enormous rebellion. I can only see data collection as solving moderately small communities in wealthy countries; Neighborhoods in a city for example or cities in a county. Places where citizens might actually come face to face with the person in charge of their well-being.