Democracy, deliberation and design: The case of online discussion forums
Authors: Wright, S. and Street, J.
Journal: New Media and Society
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 849-869
eISSN: 1461-7315
ISSN: 1461-4448
DOI: 10.1177/1461444807081230
Abstract:Within democratic theory, the deliberative variant has assumed pre-eminence. It represents for many the ideal of democracy, and in pursuit of this ideal, online discussion forums have been proposed as solutions to the practical limits to mass deliberation. Critics have pointed to evidence which suggests that online discussion has tended to undermine deliberation. This article argues that this claim, which generates a stand-off between the two camps, misses a key issue: the role played by design in facilitating or thwarting deliberation. It argues that political choices are made both about the format and operation of the online discussion, and that this affects the possibility of deliberation. Evidence for the impact of design (and the choices behind it) is drawn from analysis of European Union and UK discussion forums. This evidence suggests that we should view deliberation as dependent on design and choice, rather than a predetermined product of the technology. Copyright © 2007 SAGE Publications.
Source: Scopus
Democracy, deliberation and design: The case of online discussion forums
Authors: Wright, S. and Street, J.
Journal: NEW MEDIA & SOCIETY
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 849-869
eISSN: 1461-7315
ISSN: 1461-4448
DOI: 10.1177/1461444807081230
Source: Web of Science (Lite)