American Politics in the Age of Social Media: Influence, Challenges, and Economic Effects

Abstract

The swift advancement of social media technologies has profoundly reshaped the political and economic landscape of the United States, with platforms such as Twitter and Facebook exerting substantial influence. Social media have not only transformed traditional modes of political communication, but have also restructured the structure of the economy through the monetization of advertising revenue and the commercialization of user data. However, this transformation has also introduced new challenges, such as the proliferation of disinformation and political polarization, both of which undermine the quality of political decision-making and negatively impact the stability of the economy. In this context, this paper examines the transformative role of social media in reshaping the dynamics of U.S. politics and economics, focusing on the shift from traditional one-way communication to multidirectional interaction. Through historical analysis and case studies, this study examines how social media affects political decision-making, election outcomes, and the structure of the economy. The results indicate that social media have democratized the dissemination of information, but they have also intensified challenges such as political polarization and the spread of disinformation, which undermine governance and economic stability. Furthermore, social media platforms have emerged as powerful economic entities, reshaping traditional business models via data commercialization and targeted advertising.