Abstract
Early conceptions of digital democracy as a virtual public sphere or civic commons have been replaced by a new technological optimism for democratic renewal based upon the open and collaborative networking characteristics of social media. This article provides an introduction to a special issue of the international journal Information, Communication & Society, which attempts to present a grounded analysis of these claims drawing upon evidence-based research and analysis. A more cautious approach is suggested for the potential of social media to facilitate more participative democracy while acknowledging its disruptive value for challenging traditional interests and modes of communicative power.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 757-769 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Information, Communication and Society |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2011 |