Understanding Digital Politics

This visionary book explores the impacts of digital technologies and their uses for the development of democratic cultures and institutions. Darren Lilleker questions whether digital technologies can answer the challenges faced by democracy today, such as clashing value systems or extremism, and reverse the slide towards post-democracy.Detailing how digital platforms are used for political communication, Lilleker highlights how technology can be amoral and neutral, and that its impacts are shaped by usage, reflecting the societies users inhabit. The book provides a global perspective and draws on major substantive debates in the field, including examples from various nations across the Global North and South. It identifies patterns and trajectories in technological developments and analyses their uses in practice, such as digital electioneering, political participation and citizenship. The book finds both positive and negative impacts, and raises significant concerns regarding the prevalence of digital behaviours which do not support pluralism, inclusivity or cohesive societies.Incisive and forward-thinking, Understanding Digital Politics will be essential for researchers and scholars of international politics, political communication, technology and innovation, and public policy. Its interdisciplinary approach will also be invaluable for leaders and policymakers intending to confront technological challenges within politics.