Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Communication in politics--United States; Communication in politics; Internet--Political aspects; Internet--Social aspects; United States;
Abstract
The Internet has demonstrated the ability to empower its users by giving them more accurate information about matters of political, professional, and organizational concerns. While many believe that the Internet will fundamentally change political discourse, others argue that it is just another communications tool among many that may affect how governments function, but it will not affect democratic discourse. The thesis argues that unless some requirements are met, the Internet potential as a new democratic forum will not be fulfilled. Concepts such as freedom of speech, democracy, and democratic communication are essential to analyzing the potential use of the Internet as the ultimate democratic tool. After reviewing how the First Amendment impacts the Internet, the thesis thoroughly examines three key players: individuals and grassroots, corporations, and governments and the way they interact. While the Internet is criticized mainly for its "elitist" bearing, the thesis also examines the "information rich versus information poor" aspect of the Net and the resulting unequal participation in the electronic public sphere. This thesis suggests that the Internet offers its users the ultimate democratic forum where they can express their opinions freely, communicate with policy makers and public servants, and develop a grass-root political awareness among the participants. It has the potential of involving all citizens in the political processes, thus taking back democracy to what its origin which means "the rule of the people."
Year of Submission
1999
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Communication Studies
First Advisor
Christopher Martin
Second Advisor
Ronnie Bankston
Third Advisor
Archana Daya Shankar
Date Original
1999
Object Description
1 PDF file (144 leaves)
Copyright
©1999 Dalia K. Hamed
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Hamed, Dalia K., "The Impact of the Internet on Democratic Discourse" (1999). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2841.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2841
Comments
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