The internet as a new channel for political participation?

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the political use of the internet considering both individual and organisational use. Firstly, looking at how individuals which took part in the Athens European Social Forum (ESF) use the internet politically. Secondly, shedding light on how social movements, families and organisations mobilized in the Italian Global Justice Movement (GJM) use the web, highlighting limits and opportunities of using the web politically. Data were gathered using different research instruments: a survey of participants in the European Social Forum in Athens and a series of interviews with spokespersons of different social movement families of the Italian GJM. While quantitative data allows for controlling relations among variables concerning the political use of the internet by individuals, qualitative data provides more detailed information on internet use in the everyday life of activists and organisations.