Simply slacktivism? Internet participation in Finland

Abstract

Following initial euphoria over the democratizing potential of the Internet, sceptical voices have contended that the impact of the Internet on the state of democracy may be less benign. A central critique claims that political participation on the internet is nothing more than slacktivism, i.e. activities that enhance the feel-good factor of the participants but have no impact on real life political outcomes. This study examines three accusations of slacktivism levelled against online participants: that they are detached from formal politics and therefore do not aim to influence political outcomes, that they choose easily accessible digital forms of engagement over more effective traditional activities, and that they lack central political competences necessary to comprehend the functioning of the political system. The results suggest that there is little reason to be worried over any negative impact of the Internet on political engagement since the virtual participants are both active and competent citizens. In this sense, the accusation of slacktivism against political participation via the Internet appears to be misguided.