Cooptation and cooperation: institutional exemplars of democratic internet technology
- 1 August 2008
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in New Media & Society
- Vol. 10 (4), 625-645
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444808093734
Abstract
This article examines how online political groups are co-opting internet technology from commercial interests to amplify various cooperative processes. After formulating a framework for praxis-based democratic theories of technology, I select four internet-based groups as institutional exemplars for analysis: Democratic Underground, Free Republic, Indymedia, and Move On. These groups implement distinct types of democratic applications of internet technology and embody specific strands of democratic theory. I conclude by commenting on the direction of internet-based democratic practices, their political efficacy in terms of strategy and tactics, and how they figure within US political culture.Keywords
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