American Polity by Serow

Readings for Feb 25

#25 by Richard Davis; The Web of Politics (p164)

• Study on the effect of the internet on politics
• Gore predicted it would “spread participatory democracy”
• Common promises of the internet (combined, they promise true citizen awareness)

1) Increase in information available to average citizens

2) individual control over what information is received

• Ability to bring Americans into the political process
• Allow involvement by common citizens through instantaneous communications of wishes to representatives
• Internet will be a tremendous boon in collecting info, interacting with policy makers, and shaping policy
• Those who are politically uninterested will probably not be suddenly interested in politics, however
• Most advantageous to incumbents
• Will utilize internet to maintain and reinforce existing power
• Can relay messages without someone actually in their district and without reliance on news media, party organizations, or staffers
• Vehicle for advertisement