February 28 Study Questions

Political Participation on the Internet

 

What are the three ways that Internet proponents believe that the Net could potentially transform political participation?

 

 

 

 

Why is Davis skeptical about whether the Net will achieve this potential transformation?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why does Davis think that Internet participation will favor existing political organizations and elites?

 

 

 

 

 

Why does Davis think that the Internet will fail to change the level of public interest in politics?

 

 

 

 

 

Davis published his book in 1999. Are there any recent (or future) changes in Internet use that could challenge his arguments?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Davis and Scholzman/Brady/Verba focus on American political participation. Do you think their arguments would apply to Canadian participation too?