Delivering on Direct Democracy Promises within Party Lines: Analyzing Digital Participation Platforms of Three Pirate Parties

The Internet, along with the rise of social networks, has revolutionized the functioning of political parties giving rise to new party types (Gerbaudo 2019, Barberà et al. 2021, Lioy et al. 2019, Deseriis 2020). The scholar research is divided on the impacts that such digital transformation has on emerging parties. Some seminal research saw it as an opportunity to enhance intra-party democracy through online platforms and dedicated software (e.g.Bennett et al. 2018). Recent research indicates a concerning trend where digital platforms become tools for leaders to exert control, leading to increased centralization and personalization within digital parties (e.g. Gerbaudo 2019). This paper focuses on three pirate parties (and their platforms) situated in Iceland (x.piratar), Luxembourg (fro.lu), and the Czech Republic (forum.pirati.cz), which champion elements of direct democracy in their long-term programs, emphasizing citizen involvement in decision-making processes. The study aims to analyze the implementation of direct democracy within the internal processes of these political entities. More specifically It focuses on their forums and platforms investigating the challenges and outcomes associated with their implementation. The primary research method involves interviews with party representatives responsible for such technical matters. By shedding light on the dynamics at play, this research aims to deepen the understanding of the evolving landscape of digital parties and their potential implications for intra-party democracy.