Participation 2.0: Online Engagement and Democracy

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  • Presentation speakers
    • Paul Hirsch, Assistant Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry / Maxwell School of Syracuse University
    • Tina Nabatchi, Assistant Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University

  Video

  This presentation will focus on Participation 2.0, which refers to the use of Internet and social media technologies to engage citizens in issues of public concern. First, I will provide a very brief history of Participation 2.0. Second, I will turn to an examination of why Participation 2.0 matters, specifically focusing on this issue from the perspective of democracy and democratic theory. I will also briefly discuss the “citizenship” and “democratic deficits” and briefly report on some trends in civic dispositions in the United States. Third, I will turn to the theorized benefits of participation generally, and Participation 2.0 specifically. Finally, I will present some general findings from the empirical literature and discuss some considerations and challenges of using Participation 2.0.