The Internet and Political Participation. Exploring the Explanatory
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European Journal of Communication, 20 (4):
435-459 (December 2005)Abstract
There is a growing literature exploring the role of the Internet in
influencing levels and styles of political participation. However,
it is not yet clear why the Internet is perceived as a medium that
can, at least potentially, increase participation. Moreover, putting
the emphasis on the Internet as a technology rather than on its information
and communication capabilities signals a tendency for technological
determinism. In order to avoid this, the article explores the relation
between the Internet and political participation by examining three
different facets of the Internet: the Internet as an information
source, as a communication medium and as a virtual public sphere.
The main argument of the article is that it is these facets of the
Internet that may affect levels and styles of political participation
and hence are of interest for political scientists. The article also
emphasizes the relevance of established theories of participation
within political science in evaluating the potential role of the
Internet for affecting levels and styles of political participation.
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