Trends in Digital Participation: Insights from a European Open Petition Platform

Direct democracy gives citizens the possibility to defend their interests besides from elections. Thereby, leveraging modern information and communication technology helps raise the significance of direct democracy for citizens and decision-makers likewise. Digital democracy tools such as online petition systems can spread topics more effectively so that more citizens are able to support initiators. In contrast to traditional direct democracy, individuals can observe the contribution process such as the difference between the number of actual and needed signatures and the different petitions created in real-time. This study argues that online petition platforms are important tools for participatory governance, enabling citizens to voice their concerns and influence policy-making on a range of issues. Drawing on a dataset of 21,589 petitions and over 5 million contributors from a European open petition platform, we analyze thematic trends, patterns of participation, and institutional targets over eight years. Our findings reveal that petitions addressing education, civil rights, transportation, and social issues dominate the platform, reflecting both local and global socio-political developments. By highlighting how digital tools can facilitate bottom-up agenda-setting and mobilize public support, this research contributes to the understanding of digital democracy's potential and limitations. We discuss the implications for theory, including the democratization of access to political discourse, and practice, such as the need for platforms and institutions to ensure inclusivity and responsiveness in digital engagement.