Dommett, K. orcid.org/0000-0003-0624-6610 and Verovšek, P.J. (2021) Promoting democracy in the digital public sphere: applying theoretical ideals to online political communication. Javnost - The Public, 28 (4). pp. 358-374. ISSN 1318-3222
Abstract
Democratic debate has undergone a structural transformation due to the rise of the Internet, social media and online communities. Scholars of political communication have sought to diagnose the threat that these changes pose by theorising “filter bubbles” and “echo chambers.” Responding to a growing desire on the part of policymakers to react to these trends and to uphold democratic values, we draw on empirical analyses of online discourse to consider the difficulties involved in this endeavour. Highlighting the diversity of trends detected by empirical studies of the digital public sphere, we argue that both political theory and empirical analysis are needed to promote democratic ideals. Using Jürgen Habermas’s “coffeehouse model,” we establish theoretical markers for desirable deliberative practice and consider the conditions under which these ideals can be advanced. By focusing on the significance of both digital design and user behaviour, we suggest initiatives that can promote favoured democratic ideals.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 EURICOM. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Javnost - The Public. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | democratic theory; digital public sphere; Jürgen Habermas; political communication |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Politics and International Relations (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 27 Sep 2021 10:44 |
Last Modified: | 16 Mar 2023 01:13 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Informa UK Limited |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/13183222.2021.1955206 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:178526 |