The Pew Research Center released a study on the impact of the internet on American politics. Whereas in the early 1990’s there was hope that a new golden era of politics might be ushered in by the internet – better information and discourse among citizens, cheaper and more honest campaigns, the waning of influence by lobbyists and PAC’s – a less optimistic view has emerged. It seems that, at least for now, the internet only hardens the views and the divisions among us.
The study assessed several assertions about the internet and politics:
"The internet has transformed political fundraising, advertising, and mobilization."
Online fundraising has increased substantially. This election cycle it will reach $2.6 billion. But the cash is then being used in tried and true outreach efforts such as television ads, direct mail and phone calls. Email is not even close to reaching voters.
"The internet fosters political balkanization."
Partisanship has grown and the internet tends to reinforce this as people go and get information or join groups that support what they believe. They are, however, becoming more aware of differing views.
"The internet combats political apathy and brings new voters to the polls."
It doesn’t seem that the internet causes people to vote. People who are likely to vote simply search the web for more information and insight.
"YouTube is the new “killer app” that will transform U.S. politics."
Because of Moore’s Law that there is a doubling of computing power every 18 months, each 24 month election cycle is featuring new campaign technologies and applications. But for this election cycle, most voters were influenced by traditional television and newspaper media. Though citizens will use YouTube, Google, and Wikipedia’s to capture every nod and comment by candidates, these technologies appear to only amplify what is being done by the parties and the mainstream media.
Pew’s predictions? YouTube takes its place in the procession from candidate websites in 1996, email in 1998, online fundraising in 2000, blogs in 2003, and net-organized house parties in 2004. Beyond that we might see google-bombing to frame debates. Mobile applications such as text may be used to register and turn out voters.
FDR dominated radio as JFK and Reagan dominated television. An internet candidate has yet to emerge. For now, the effect of the internet on politics seems to be the increasing involvement of citizens at a grassroots level to get involved in telling the stories and debating the issues.
