Massornas politiska torgmöten eller de motiverades klubbar? En studie av medborgardiskussioner på Internet

Authors

• Kim Strandberg

Abstract

The growth of the Internet during the last decade has resulted in much scholarly attention. Supporters of the optimistic mobilization theory argue that cyber politics and cyber discussions are comparable and sometimes even superior to traditional politics. Moreover, this new form of politics has the potential of mobilizing new citizens into the realm of politics. Critics, however, argue from a reinforcement perspective that the effects of cyber politics are utterly limited. Even if the digital divide in Internet access were abolished, the proponents of the reinforcement perspective argue that politics on the Internet still appeals only to the politically ”converted” citizens. In this study I focus on six Finnish electronic discussion boards. The main question asked is whether these electronic debates display traits of either the mobilization or the reinforcement theory. Is cyber politics mobilizing the masses or do the discussions resemble closed societies for the motivated?