Graham, T orcid.org/0000-0002-5634-7623 (2015) Everyday political talk in the Internet- based public sphere. In: Coleman, S and Freelon, D, (eds.) Handbook of Digital Politics. Edward Elgar , Cheltenham, UK , pp. 247-263. ISBN 978-1782548751
Abstract
Ever since the advent of the Internet, political communication scholars have debated its potential to facilitate and support public deliberation as a means of revitalizing and extending the public sphere. Much of the debate has focused on the medium’s potential in offering communicative spaces that transcend the limitations of time, space and access (and the traditional mass media)m whereby open communication, deliberation and exchange of information among the public can prosper. Following the initial enthusiasm over the possibilities of a more interactive and deliberative electorate, along with the cyber-pessimist response, a growing body of rich empirical research into online deliberation has arisen in its wake. In search of online deliberation, scholars have conducted a broad range of investigations, developing several prominent directions in the field. One popular line of research has been the study of informal political talk through the lens of public sphere ideals.The aim of this chapter is to detail and discuss this growing body of research and its significance. I begin by discussing what scholars mean by political talk and why it is thought to be essential for (a more deliberative) democracy. Following this, the major findings to date are set out, focusing specifically on three of the most common features of political talk investigated by scholars in the field. I discuss scholarly disagreement and offer my thoughts and critical reflection on the topic. Finally, the chapter ends with several recommendations for future research into informal political talk in the Internet-based public sphere.
Metadata
Item Type: | Book Section |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Editors: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 Todd Graham. This draft chapter that has been published by Edward Elgar Publishing in Handbook of Digital Politics edited by Stephen Coleman and Deen Freelon published in 2015. https://www.elgaronline.com/view/9781782548751.00024.xml. |
Keywords: | Public sphere; online deliberation; Habermas; Internet; Social Media; Political talk; Political communication; civic engagement; deliberative democracy; polarization; flaming; trolling |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Media & Communication (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 06 Apr 2017 16:02 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jan 2018 08:37 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.4337/9781782548768.00024 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Edward Elgar |
Identification Number: | 10.4337/9781782548768.00024 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:113484 |