The Internet, Democracy, and Democratization

The Internet is transforming political institutions and modes of political communication. It is also transforming relaitons between states and between citizens. Above all it provides opportunities to create new political communities. This book provides examples of how it is beginning to do so at the sub-state, state and international levels. Both established democracies, such as the US, the UK and Germany, as well as authoritarian regimes in Asia and Africa, are having to come to terms with it. But although it can be a force for increased democracy and for the spread of human rights worldwide, it may also be used by anti-democratic groups who have previously been marginalised. Both ethnic minorities and neo-Nazi groups are already trying to make the most of the Internet. "Strong democracy" or a 1984-type state: both are possibilities, both present enormous challenges.