Digital Media and Traditional Political Participation Over Time in the U.S.

Accidental exposure to politics on social media as online participation equalizer in Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom

“…For one, as access to the internet increased in the US population, studies found stronger correlations between internet use and participation over time (Boulianne, 2009). Bimber and Copeland (2013), while cautioning against grand generalizations about the contextually-determined relationship between internet use and political participation, found that at least one behaviour-attempting to persuade others to vote for a party or candidate-was increasingly correlated with internet use for political information in the US between 1996 and 2008. They suggest that scholars should "conceptualize digital media not as a steady, continuous, or uniform influence on behavior […] but in terms of changed context for political communication and information" (Bimber and Copeland, 2013: 136).…”

What Drives Political Participation? Motivations and Mobilization in a Digital Age

“…(Verba, Schlozman & Brady, 1995: 38). Political participation now covers an array of forms which includes the acts Verba et al describe, such as voting, petitioning governments, contacting elected representatives and taking part in demonstrations, as well as non-conventional acts performed using digital technologies which appear geared more towards expressing a view, supportive or otherwise, than influencing decision makers (De Zúñiga et al, 2012;Bimber & Copeland, 2013;Gibson & Cantijoch, 2013). Most conventional acts can be performed using digital platforms, however social media not only facilitates participation in its conventional understanding but also in creating or joining communities which transcend state or national boundaries, starting or contributing to discussions, advertising support for causes, and promoting the work of a range of political organisations and campaigns in national and global dimension.…”

Introduction: The Networked Communication of Contentious Politics

“…In line with a growing body of literature, I propose that warnings about the numbing effect of networked communication on engagement in collective action is becoming increasingly untenable as technological usage patterns refl ect their deepening roots in everyday practice (Bimber and Copeland 2013 ;Couldry 2012 ;Xenos and Moy 2007 ). That, however, is not tantamount to arguing that technological diffusion amounts to a levelling of the playing fi eld of civic participation.…”