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Internet and the Quality of Democracy

Democracy
Democratisation
Representation
Internet
Technology
Big Data
S29
Régis Dandoy
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Giulia Sandri
Université catholique de Lille – ESPOL

Endorsed by the ECPR Standing Group on Internet and Politics


Abstract

Two main strands of empirical and theoretical literature in political science have made significant advances in the last five years. On the one hand, specific literature on the evolution of the quality of democratic regimes across the world, and particularly on democratic regression and autocratization patterns, has emerged. On the other hand, a burgeoning literature on digital politics and on the interaction between ICTs and political processes is rapidly evolving. The aim of this section is to further empirical and theoretical research in these crucial topics by exploring their current mutual effects. The section aims at bridging the above-mentioned strands of research by focusing on the relation between digital/internet politics and the quality of democracy. We will assess the role of internet and new technologies in accompanying current debates around different types of democracies: representative democracy, direct democracy, and deliberative / participatory democracy. In particular, this section will focus on the following two research axes: 1. Empirical and theoretical explorations of the role of internet and new technologies in creating or managing tensions between democratization and autocratization processes. For instance, this axis will include research on how digital technologies are used to legitimize and reinforce autocratic regimes and democratic backsliding, or to help sustaining and organizing local enclaves of resistance against autocratic regimes. 2. Empirical and theoretical explorations of the role of internet and new technologies in transforming traditional forms of political participation or in promoting new forms of political participation. For instance, this axis will include research on how electoral processes have been affected by the emergence of new technologies (e-voting or internet voting), new communications tools (eg. social media) and new actors (eg. digitally native civil society or political organizations), or on how ICTs, digital platforms and social media help state institutions to re-connect with citizens beyond traditional intermediaries. The section on Internet and the Quality of Democracy will be composed of eight panels: six pre-accepted panels and two fully open panels.
Code Title Details
P091 Democracy and Autocracy in the Digital Age View Panel Details
P094 Democracy and Social Media in Times of Covid-19 View Panel Details
P095 Democracy Research in the Digital Age View Panel Details
P111 Digital Political Campaigning: Regulation and Consequences View Panel Details
P115 Digitalization and party organizational change in the aftermath of the Great Recession and the COVID Era View Panel Details
P122 Electronic and Internet Voting View Panel Details
P300 Polarized discourses in the digital era – indications for an authoritative backlash? View Panel Details
P358 Representative democracy in the digital age View Panel Details