De Gruyter Handbook of Digital Political Communication

The De Gruyter Handbook of Digital Political Communication provides a comprehensive survey of the contemporary trends concerning political communications in the digital realm, by analysing, assessing and explaining current debates around information and communications technologies in the political and public sphere. With accessible and thought-provoking chapters, this volume challenges readers’ presuppositions. The book shines a light on two different perspectives when it comes to the influence that social media have on politics: For advocates of a digital democracy, the abundance of unfiltered information they provide constitutes a decentralisation of power relations within the body politic, and a removal of old hierarchies. Conversely, critical theorists argue social media have created societal and political dislocations, which has eroded rational debate in favour of ideological polarisation. Celebrity politicians such as Donald Trump and tech giants like Elon Musk are examples of this within electoral and party politics. States and non-state actors have sought to enhance their soft power attraction to foreign publics. This book analyses the transformation in the behaviour of governing institutions, parties and the media through the digital commons.