Chapter 17.1 Civic Participation

A Tool for Political Education and Action ► The Internet is a mass communication system of millions of networked computers and databases all over the world. The World Wide Web allows users to interact with the billions of documents stored on computers across the Net. Web sites are “pages” on the Web that contain text, images, audio and video.

continued ► You can find information on almost every topic on the Web. Not everything on the Internet is accurate. Before believing, evaluate the credibility of the source. ► Most national newspapers and magazines publish online every day and keep archives or files of older stories. Your hometown newspaper may have a Web site as well. TV and radio stations sites offer audio and video as well as written news.

continued ► The sites of research and educational institutes present their findings on current topics and make policy recommendations. Be aware that not all “think tanks” are nonpartisan (free from political ties). ► Governments at all levels have their own Web sites. Hundreds of sites exist for branches and agencies of the federal gov’t and resources like the Smithsonian.

continued ► E-gov’t is making it easier to learn about public policy and participate in gov’t directly. Gov’t sites help people do everything from obtaining a marriage license to commenting on the performances of officials. ► The Internet can help you find special-interest groups with values similar to your own. Newsgroups or Internet discussion forums, offer a way to exchange ideas with people who share your concerns.

Election Campaigns ► The Internet is changing how citizens can participate and candidates run for office. ► Both major parties and many minor parties maintain Web sites. Nearly every candidate for higher office has a site. Visitors can learn the candidate’s background, position on issues, recent speeches and more. Many such sites offer an electronic newsletter that updates subscribers by .

continued ► Remember that the goal of party and candidate sites is to build support for their ideas and candidates, not to explain both sides of an issue. They have links only to other like-minded sites. ► Few voters have a chance to meet the candidates, but provides a way for direct, personal contact with candidates or their staff.

continued ► During the 2000 Presidential campaign, citizens participated by setting up independent Web sites to support their candidates. ► Grassroots Web sites raise some concerns for parties and candidates. The sites may contain misinformation or have links to extremist groups that a candidate does not want to be associated with. Also, it can be hard to tell official from unofficial sites.