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.

Keywords:

• political participation
• Internet
• information and communication technologies

Notes

The traditional definition of political participation contains various fundamental elements: it should be an activity carried out by individuals outside of their employment remit, the aim of which is to influence a political decision (Parry et al. 1992; Verba & Nie 1972; Verba et al. 1995). The last point has been gradually extended to include activities such as protests, which on occasion attempt to influence political opinion rather than decisions taken by government agents, or such as political consumption aimed at company activities (Barnes & Kaase 1979; Norris 2002; Peretti & Micheletti 2004).

This review does not explicitly include a comparative view but it is important to point out that the use of Internet may not be the same in all contexts. For example, Bimber (2002) has argued that in countries such as the USA where there are numerous existing opportunities for participation and few restrictions on the circulation of information, it would have very little effect: those who want to participate would already have been able to do so via traditional channels. On the other hand, in countries where the government controls the flow of information, Internet could significantly increase the possibilities for action.