Essay

The Internet and Politics

Technology and the Internet are rapidly growing within our modern society; consequently new opportunities are available for communication, marketing and research (Gibson, Oates & Owen 2006). The Internet has had a significant impact on economics and lifestyle but more importantly on politics. This essay will argue that the Internet has revolutionized politics and promotes the idea of democracy on a worldwide level. It will explore the political uses and limits of the Internet and will explain why they have a profound effect on democracy and politics. The Internets ability to span worldwide and its effects on the idea of ‘community’ and democracy will also be discussed. It will be concluded that the Internet encourages participation, interaction, communication, self-expression and promotes democracy worldwide therefore transforming our world of politics.

The Internet is constantly used in relation to politics weather it is to source information and understandings, political news, to vote, sign a partition or even to check politicians ‘tweets’. It has become an easily accessible, global library therefore making one of its most common uses to source information (Ferdinand, 2000). According to recent research 21 one million US citizens used the Internet to source political information prior to the election (Davies & Owen, 1998).

The Internet and its affiliates communication applications are constantly used for political purposes. Applications such as blogger, hotmail, you tube and facebook make communication simple and accessible to everyone. In fact it is estimated that 50 million people around the world produce online blogs (Chen, Geiselhart & Gibson, 2006). They allow anyone from any background to express their opinion which is important in a democratic society where ‘the people’ are encouraged to speak freely (Gibson, Oates & Owen 2006).

The Internet is a huge source of information and is therefore commonly used as a marketing and advertisement tool particularly by those whose profession relies on their public image. Political parties have begun to utilize new communication technologies to facilitate advertising and promotions for their campaigns (Gibson, Kay & War, 1998). They are cheaper than media broadcasting (TV radio) and can cover a large amount of content whilst reaching huge populations (Gibson, Kay & War, 1998). Individual campaign websites are also created to do this (Gibson, Kay & War, 1998). In Japan politicians such as Gaku Hashimoto post up to 200 messages on twitter a day which are viewed by more than 1000 readers (Slodkoski 2009). There has even been comments made that Obama’s use of twitter to reach supporters during the election helped him to win (Slodkowski, 2009). Obama currently boasts 1.84 million twitter followers (Slodkowski, 2009). In doing this politicians are consistently informing the world not just their state/country.

Using Internet communication applications benefits politics from a politician and civilian point of view. Civilians can easily email or post comments and concerns and have them answered efficiently. Politicians can access constructive criticisms and feedback communicated by the public and respond to their feedback easily (Gibson, Kay & War, 1998). This promotes world wide political communication and encourage everyone to have an opinion, thus it promotes democracy.

Although the Internet seems limitless it does have restrictions. There are little restrictions to the content and quantity that can be posted on the Internet however; there are limitations to taking political action online. With such a huge source comes issues with security in particular identity fraud and authentication issues (Gibson, Kay & War, 1998). People can impersonate others to steal their votes and people have also been found to sell their votes (Lands 2005). It is for this reason that some elections are not done online.

The Internet has completely changed and revolutionized communication, relationships and thus the idea of the community. The Internets global capabilities make it possible for relationships to form with people who live on the other side of the world. Instead of having political discussions with your neighbors you can discuss it with people from different countries. Diverse online communities with similar needs and opinions are therefore formed (Wilson & Peterson 2002).

The Internet has also revolutionized politics by broadening the age of people who participate in ‘communities’ (Gibson, Nixon & War, 1998). Contributing to this diversity is the fact that the Internet is new generational and therefore attracts youth to get involved. Recent research shows that 36 percent of people who engage in online political discussion are under 30 (Gibson, Kay & War 1998).

The Internet allows for users to interact with political debates rather than just absorb information. It provides the public with tools of political self-expression which have been previously denied by mainstream media (TV, radio) (Owen & Davis 1998). Mainstream sources (TV, radio) transmit through broadcasting therefore they communicate one way only. The web is interactive and allows people to comment on what they are absorbing. This action not only forms diverse, online communities but promotes democracy and politics as well.

The Internet has changed the politics of nations and states by allowing people around the world to express their personal opinions of other countries and states political issues. Not only can individuals express their political opinions to their own leaders but to political leaders of other countries around the world (Gibson, Kay & War, 1998). It allows political information to be easily transmitted globally, consequently a country or states individual politics are shared worldwide (Ferdinand, 2000).

In conclusion the Internet and its affiliated communication applications have changed and revolutionized politics by promoting worldwide communication and democratic behavior. It’s ability to be used as a library for political research, communication and voting tools promotes proactive political behavior. It’s marketing and advertisement capabilities exceed broadcasting media because it provides two-way interactivity and communication. The Internet has promotes and aided the growth of democracy worldwide consequently revolutionizing politics.

References

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