iPolitics
Citizens, Elections, and Governing in the New Media Era

iPolitics describes the ways in which new media innovations change how politicians and citizens engage the political arena.

Richard L. Fox (Edited by), Jennifer M. Ramos (Edited by)

9781107667655, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 November 2011

322 pages, 22 b/w illus. 28 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.5 kg

'iPolitics is an excellent compilation of the multiple ways new media and the Internet are changing journalism, campaigning, and democratic governance. The collection is a fantastic snapshot of the fast-evolving influence of new media on our political world.' Rolfe Daus Peterson, Mercyhurst College

Politicians rely on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to exercise political power. Citizens around the world also use these tools to vent political frustrations, join political groups and organize revolutions. Political activists blog to promote candidates, solicit and coordinate financial contributions and provide opportunities for volunteers. iPolitics describes the ways in which new media innovations change how politicians and citizens engage the political arena. Among other things, contributors to this volume analyze whether the public's political knowledge has increased or decreased in the new media era, the role television still plays in the information universe, the effect bloggers have had on the debate and outcome of healthcare reform, and the manner in which political leaders should navigate the new media environment. While the majority of contributors examine new media and politics in the United States, the volume also provides a unique comparative perspective on this relationship using cases from abroad.

Introduction Richard L. Fox and Jennifer M. Ramos
Part I. The Shifting Media Universe and News Consumers: 1. More sources, better informed public? New media and political knowledge Zoe Oxley
2. Rethinking television's relationship to politics in the post-network era Jeffrey Jones
3. Interplay: political blogging and journalism Richard Davis
Part II. Campaigns and Elections in the New Media Environment: 4. YouTube and TV advertising campaigns: Obama vs McCain in 2008 Anne Crigler, Marion Just, Lauren Hume, Jesse Mills and Parker Hevron
5. E-campaigns in Old Europe: observations from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Urs Gasser and Jan Gerlach
6. The rise of web-campaigning in Finland Tom Carlson and Kim Strandberg
Part III. Civic Mobilization and Governance in the New Information Age: 7. Preaching to the choir or converting the flock: presidential communication strategies in the age of three medias Matthew Baum
8. Twitter and Facebook: new ways for members of Congress to send the same old messages? Jennifer L. Lawless
9. The dog that didn't bark: Obama, Netroots Progressives, and healthcare reform Matthew R. Kerbel
10. New media and political change: lessons from internet users in Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait Deborah Wheeler and Lauren Mintz.

Subject Areas: Press & journalism [KNTJ], Media, information & communication industries [KNT], Comparative politics [JPB], Politics & government [JP], Sociology [JHB]