Normalisierung oder Mobilisierung? - Die Auswirkungen politischer Online-Kommunikation auf die Wahlbeteiligung am Beispiel einer Internet-Applikation zur Bundestagswahl 2009

In: Politische Vierteljahresschrift: PVS : German political science quarterly, Band 53, Heft 3, S. 444-466

Abstract

Regarding the effects of political internet communication on political participation, two positions oppose each other: While the normalization thesis contends that online communication reinforces already existing disparities within political participation, the mobilization thesis assumes that online communication can mobilize individuals who are not interested in politics. The paper contributes empirically to this debate by analyzing the effect of a popular online application, "Wahl-O-Mat", on voting intention at the 2009 German Federal Election. The findings support the mobilization thesis. Adapted from the source document.