Your Mayor, Your “Friend”: Public Officials, Social Networking, and the Unmapped New Public Square

Abstract

The article focuses on the use of online social networks by local public officials in the U.S. It mentions that such networks allow public officials to connect with their constituents, but it has raised concerns over freedom of information, ethics laws, and open meeting laws. Meanwhile, it assesses the tools and behaviors from public choice theory and rational choice institutionalism that resulted to the emerging institution of civic social networks. It concludes that the use of such networks by the public officials is at par with the goals of ethic laws and open government.