The technological development has taken the world like a storm and has metamorphosed the dynamics of the society. The virtual domain has come up to prosper and take a pivotal part in the lives of the masses across the entire globe. From the notion of self to the structure of the society have all been under the influence of digitization since the inception of the new media. The democratic process has also been immensely influenced by the new technology.
The social media and internet have revolutionized the mode of communication and democracy has also seen the impending effects of the times. The digital age has made people connect with each other and discuss over issues on the virtual platform. This makes collaboration and triggering off social movements easier. Many social groups interact and come up to counter the hindering forces of the democratic structure and then take on the streets. Recent economic or democratic protests in Bangladesh, India and United States are such examples where the masses got mobilized through social media.
Another important aspect of the age is the spying of the governmental organizations over the individual by getting access to the use of internet. The recent controversy regarding Snowden’s revelation and the prolonged ban on specific sites in China are examples of the involvement of the government in the personal sphere.
Besides, the key players of the democratic structure also resort to the technological media to reach out to the masses and converse the objectives and thus endeavor to gain their support. The authorities also utilize the means of communication to spread the word about the implemented policies. Thus, the digital age is seeing a huge transformation in the social sphere and the entire notion of democracy has come closer to the common man in a way in which he or she can actively participate and voice the concern to the entire world getting the better of any odd which could have impeded free speech and expression.
References
Hindman, Matthew. (2009). The Myth of Digital Democracy. New Jersey: Princeton University
Press.
Papacharissi, Zizi. (2010). A Private Sphere: Democracy in a Digital Age. Cambridge: Polity
Press.
Wilhelm, Anthony G. (2000). Democracy in the Digital Age: Challenges to Political Life in
Cyberspace. New York: Routledge.
