Normalisierung oder Mobilisierung? – Die Auswirkungen politischer Online-Kommunikation auf die Wahlbeteiligung am Beispiel einer Internet-Applikation zur Bundestagswahl 2009

Abstract

Regarding the effects of political internet communication on political participa- tion, two positions oppose each other: While the normalization thesis contends that online communication reinforces already existing disparities within political participation, the mobilization thesis assumes that online communication can mobilize individuals who are not interested in politics. The paper contributes empirically to this debate by analyzing the effect of a popular online application, “Wahl-O-Mat”, on voting intention at the 2009 German Federal Election. The fi ndings support the mobilization thesis.