The Internet and Politics Agenda for Today What is “political participation”? Why study political participation? Determinants of political participation Impact of the Internet and participation

The Internet and Politics What is political participation?  acts aimed at influencing policy, including:  voting  protesting  letter-writing  volunteering for a party or interest group

The Internet and Politics Why study participation?  key dimension of Internet’s impact  crucial to democratic legitimacy  address participatory dilemmas:  low levels of participation  systematic inequities of participation

The Internet and Politics Voter turnout Global voter turnout since 1945

The Internet and Politics Voter turnout Parliamentary Elections, Differences between regions

The Internet and Politics Voter turnout Parliamentary Elections, Differences between regions over time

The Internet and Politics Voter turnout: Canada

The Internet and Politics Voter turnout: Canada

The Internet and Politics Participation: other activity declining levels of civic engagement “social capital” includes involvement in political and social organizations

The Internet and Politics Why not participate? voter’s dilemma: voting as irrational share of total benefit impact on outcome example of collective action problem same dynamics apply to other forms of participation

The Internet and Politics Why low participation matters legitimacy of system; representativeness voter vs non-voter preferences mandatory voting laws right to NOT vote social capital intrinsic value of participation social, economic, psychological, health effects

The Internet and Politics Systematic inequities Types of inequities: income education nationality Significance: legitimacy of system stability of system

The Internet and Politics Determinants of participation selective incentives prospects for success level of dissatisfaction or threat exit or voice

The Internet and Politics Determinants of participation selective incentives cost-benefit analysis linked to specific types of action material benefits social gratification civic gratification collective policy

The Internet and Politics Determinants of participation prospects for success expectation of policy impact group size matters leadership matters

The Internet and Politics Determinants of participation level of dissatisfaction or threat degree of frustration risk aversion vs benefit seeking

The Internet and Politics Determinants of participation exit or voice voice: ability to affect policy exit: if voice is not an option

The Internet and Politics Participation concepts low levels of participation voter’s dilemma, collective action problems systematic inequities of participation income, education, nationality significance of low/unequal participation legitimacy, representation, social capital, stability determinants of participation: selective incentives, prospects for success, level of dissatisfaction or threat, exit or voice

The Internet and Politics Discussion