Exploring the Democratic Potential of Online Social Networking: The Scope and Limitations of e-Participation

Abstract

The availability and promise of social networking technologies with their perceived open philosophy has increasingly inspired citizens around the world to participate in political activity on the Web. Recent examples range from opposing public policies, such as government funding cuts, to organizing revolutionary social movements, such as those in the Middle East and North Africa. Although online spaces create remarkable opportunities for various forms of political action, there are concerns over the power of existing institutions to control and even censor such interaction spaces. The objective of this article is to draw together different insights on the online engagement phenomenon, highlighting both its potential and limitations as a mechanism for fostering democratic debate and influencing policy making. We examine recent examples from Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Finally, we summarize the implications of our work and outline directions for further research.

Towards unions 2.0: rethinking the audience of social media engagement

“…More recently, Web 2.0 tools or social media seem to be promoted by key international initiatives such as the one organised by UNI Global Union (), which is actively supported through the dedicated communicators' network (McGrath et al ., ). Those tools involve the use of networking and information sharing applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube to engage with union members and the wider public.…”

A survey of social media use in emergency situations: A literature review

“…It is inexpensive, easy to use and has the tendency of raising global awareness coupled with the potential of enhancing social capital, connections and fostering community resilience (Houston et al, 2015). Social media is recognised for its immediacy and pulsation effect (McGrath et al, 2012) as well as its potential for casting a global spotlight on hitherto remote communities. Such possibilities for replication, immediacy and pulsation, of throwing global spotlight and of fostering community resilience are some of the most desired potentials required in any high-velocity environment like disasters.…”

Online Research with Informal Caregivers: Opportunities and Challenges

“…However, the use of Internet technologies for deliberation and research may differ according to context (see McGrath et al 2012 for a critical discussion on the scope and limitations of the democratic potential for e-participation). The digital divide is often cited as a barrier to inclusivity, and we acknowledge that informal caregivers may have been excluded because of a lack of Internet access.…”

“…As well as providing a means to reach and involve geographically dispersed contributors, the Internet offers an engaging form of participation in a protected, or anonymous, environment (McGrath et al 2012). Macintosh (2004, p. 2) provides an analytic framework for using Internet technologies such as electronic participation to improve democratic processes.…”