Mechanisms for inclusion and exclusion through digital political participation: Evidence from a comparative study of online consultations in three German cities

Abstract

Consistent findings of unequal political participation have been motivating different democratic innovations, including those that utilize the opportunities of information and communication technologies for political online participation. While previous research has established only a limited mobilizing potential of digital media, we still lack a good understanding of the mechanisms leading citizens to decide for or against engagement online. Therefore, we investigate who participates in opportunities for political online participation, what explains (non)-engagement and how effective personalized invitations are to increase and diversify participation. To address these questions, we conducted a comparative study of three almost identical instances of local online participation, relying on evidence from surveys of registered users and random samples of the local population. Our results show that engagement in online participation is indeed significantly biased from the population towards resource-rich individuals who also differ in their assessment of the participation process and its results. This is despite the fact that knowledge of these participation opportunities is equally distributed among all social groups. While online aversion is a barrier for some, distrust in the participation process and lack of interest are more powerful reasons to refrain from engagement. Using a randomized-controlled field experiment we can confirm that personalized invitations are an effective instrument for mobilization that increased participation by a factor of four to seven and that can to a limited degree elicit participation from under-represented groups. These findings have a number of important implications for researchers and practitioners who aim to increase equality in political participation.

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“…СОЦИАЛЬНОЕ И ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ РАЗВИТИЕ Говоря об интернет-пространстве, важно понимать, что цифровое неравенство накладывает серьезный отпечаток на отдельные слои общества, вовлеченные в онлайн-активизм. При равном доступе к информации о возможностях участия представительность различных групп значительно смещена в сторону людей, обладающих знаниями и ресурсами (Rottinghaus, Escher, 2020). Часто на первый план выходят молодые люди с низким уровнем доверия к политической системе и высоким уровнем политического интереса (Theocharis et al, 2021).…”

“…Вместе с тем оценить реальный эффект от использования глобальной сети для вовлечения людей в гражданское участие весьма сложно, что во многом обусловлено необходимостью учета такого фактора, как наличие интереса, определяющего общий настрой в отношении онлайн-активизма (Boulianne, 2009). Исходя из этого, персонализированные приглашения выступают эффективным инструментом мобилизации, который увеличивает уровень участия в четыре-семь раз (Rottinghaus, Escher, 2020).…”

Democratic Disruption or Continuity? Analysis of the Decidim Platform in Catalan Municipalities

“…Additionally, the lack of sufficient participation can seriously bias the citizen input and compromise the legitimacy of the participatory process (Font & Galais, 2009). Although digital platforms can facilitate participation, particularly among interested citizens not able to participate in face-to-face political activities (Rottinghaus & Escher, 2020; Secinaro et al, 2021), as we will see further in the analysis, the involvement of new participants and the large volume of inputs can alter the existing structures of participation and increase the reluctance of traditional gatekeepers.…”

Effects of online citizen participation on legitimacy beliefs in local government. Evidence from a comparative study of online participation platforms in three German municipalities

“…22For a detailed analysis of the profile of participants in contrast to nonparticipants in the cases studied see Rottinghaus and Escher (2020). …”