2011/08/02 by Brian D. Loader, Dan Mercea · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Social Media and Politics #E-Government and Public Services #Media Studies and Communication #Democracy #Public sphere #Network society #Sociology #Value (mathematics) #Power (physics) #Commons #Social media #Public relations #Media studies #Digital media #Political science #Social science #Law #Computer science #Politics
paper · doi:10.1080/1369118x.2011.592648
openalex publication_date 2011/08/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Early conceptions of digital democracy as a virtual public sphere or civic commons have been replaced by a new technological optimism for democratic renewal based upon the open and collaborative networking characteristics of social media.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.