Political Participation and the Internet

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review the main questions dealt with by the literature on the effect of Internet on political participation. The paper distinguishes three relevant aspects: the estimation of the impact of Internet on the levels and types of political participation; the analysis of the causal mechanisms that lie behind the relationship between Internet use and participation; and the effect of the Internet on participatory inequalities. We conclude by identifying the aspects on which there is a relative consensus among scholars, the debates surrounding controversial conclusions obtained from different empirical analyses, and those questions where further research seems particularly necessary.

An Overview Assessment of ePetitioning Tools in the English Local Government

“…The fact that income per household was positively related with higher system usage probably confirms the conclusion that political participation online favours traditionally privileged citizen groups, e.g. [24].…”

Participación Política, Medios de Comunicación y Redes Sociales en los Adolescentes Catalanes

“…La falta de consenso sobre si los medios digitales inciden en la participación política y, si lo hacen, qué tipo de efecto produce entre los jóvenes, pone sobre la mesa la necesidad de realizar estudios empíricos que ayuden a dilucidar este problema conceptual (Anduiza et al, 2009). Es en este contexto en el que este trabajo debe situarse.…”

The Position of the Youth in Political Participation

“…Indeed, it is possible to see unhappiness and uneasiness due to all what is happening as well as a criticism and a hidden opposition in these feelings. However, such criticism does not appear in traditional politics (Lüküslü, 2009 (2001) describes "digital divide" as a new form of division, research on the use of information technology emphasizes youth's advantageous position in reaching it (Anduiza, Cantijoch, Gallego, 2009: Yrd. Doç.…”