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Während Massenmedien üblicherweise integratives Potenzial zugeschrieben wird, wird dem Internet eher eine schädliche Wirkung auf den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt unterstellt. Entsprechende Metaphern zu "Filterblasen" und "Echokammern" haben inzwischen auch in den öffentlichen Diskurs Einzug gehalten. Studien, die entsprechende Wirkungen einer digitalen Fragmentierung nachweisen, sind allerdings bisher eher selten. Der empirische Forschungsstand stützt Befürchtungen zu einem deutlichen Verlust an gesellschaftlichem Zusammenhalt durch das Internet somit nicht. Allerdings gibt es bei Extremgruppen am politischen Rand Anzeichen für digitale Fragmentierung. Angesichts des heterogenen Forschungsstands systematisiert der Beitrag theoretische Annahmen und empirische Befunde und argumentiert, dass die Erfassung digitaler Fragmentierung und ihrer Wirkungen weiter notwendig ist.

Argues that increasing violence in Venezuela, especially Caracas, represents an attack on human rights, ethical standards, the law, & public liberties, thereby threatening democracy. An exploration of processes of political, economic, & social transformation that are currently underway for the purpose of broadening democracy points out that each change involves political/social antagonisms that increase fragmentation & generate a new series of conflicts. In addition, violence & personal insecurity have created polarized collective perceptions about violent criminality that oversimplify or misrepresent both the actual situation & the multicausal origins of the problem. The nature of democracy & the pursuit of citizenship in Venezuela are described, along with the magnitude & characteristics of social violence, & the possible impact of deficiencies of the state, democracy, & citizenship on social conflicts & the legal contexts that regulate everyday life. It is concluded that the deterioration of social conditions, the fragmentation of civil society, & the government's inability to curb the increasing violence, represent a dangerous weakness in the Venezuelan state. Future prospects are discussed. J. Lindroth

Argues that increasing violence in Venezuela, especially Caracas, represents an attack on human rights, ethical standards, the law, & public liberties, thereby threatening democracy. An exploration of processes of political, economic, & social transformation that are currently underway for the purpose of broadening democracy points out that each change involves political/social antagonisms that increase fragmentation & generate a new series of conflicts. In addition, violence & personal insecurity have created polarized collective perceptions about violent criminality that oversimplify or misrepresent both the actual situation & the multicausal origins of the problem. The nature of democracy & the pursuit of citizenship in Venezuela are described, along with the magnitude & characteristics of social violence, & the possible impact of deficiencies of the state, democracy, & citizenship on social conflicts & the legal contexts that regulate everyday life. It is concluded that the deterioration of social conditions, the fragmentation of civil society, & the government's inability to curb the increasing violence, represent a dangerous weakness in the Venezuelan state. Future prospects are discussed. J. Lindroth

Examines the dynamics of elite division & emergent elite convergence in Slovakia, with the former explored following the 1989 democratic transition & elite unity & differentiation addressed during the third (1994-1998) Meciar government. Analysis of the 1998 election & May 1999 presidential election sheds light on future developments regarding Slovak elites & democracy. It is concluded that a gradual, yet frail convergence toward elite unity was occurring. The risks concomitant with the pre- & posttransition elite fragmentation were lessening; thus, the Slovak regime was coalescing toward a more stable democracy. 42 References. J. Zendejas

Examines the dynamics of elite division & emergent elite convergence in Slovakia, with the former explored following the 1989 democratic transition & elite unity & differentiation addressed during the third (1994-1998) Meciar government. Analysis of the 1998 election & May 1999 presidential election sheds light on future developments regarding Slovak elites & democracy. It is concluded that a gradual, yet frail convergence toward elite unity was occurring. The risks concomitant with the pre- & posttransition elite fragmentation were lessening; thus, the Slovak regime was coalescing toward a more stable democracy. 42 References. J. Zendejas