Comments on: A Working Theoretical Blueprint for the Internet and Democracy Project http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-the-internet-and-democracy-proj/ Thoughts from the Internet and Democracy Project team at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:33:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5.2 hourly 1 By: Alfred J. Fortin http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-the-internet-and-democracy-proj/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Alfred J. Fortin Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:22:25 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-th#comment-19 One could argue that the internet cannot be separated from the market, that it is a form of enterprise inextricable from contemporary capitalism. Another, and maybe too vexing a context would be (forgive me please) to "deconstruct" the internet beyond its obvious technologies in order to foreground the values, politics, culture, generational aspirations -- in other words, the semiotic baggage embedded in the meanings it deploys. How did this driving power get contructed historically, and what political interests does it serve. One could argue that the internet cannot be separated from the market, that it is a form of enterprise inextricable from contemporary capitalism. Another, and maybe too vexing a context would be (forgive me please) to “deconstruct” the internet beyond its obvious technologies in order to foreground the values, politics, culture, generational aspirations — in other words, the semiotic baggage embedded in the meanings it deploys. How did this driving power get contructed historically, and what political interests does it serve.

]]> By: marycjoyce http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-the-internet-and-democracy-proj/comment-page-1/#comment-18 marycjoyce Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:06:59 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-th#comment-18 The structure we have created for looking at the connection between the Internet and Democracy are "pathways" through which the Internet affects democracy. We are looking at how the former influences the latter, not how third factors affect both. It would seem that private market influence falls into this "third factor" category. If we use the pathway model, we could argue that private markets have effected the Internet, then we must ask ourselves how this market-generated change in the Internet influences democracy. Is it new wealth and new political actors? That would fall into the organizing or participation category. Also, I would say that international difference would be part of the context within which we evaluate each category. Clearly the Internet influences democracy in different ways under different political regimes. We have seen that the Internet has not yet been successful in overthrowing authoritarian regimes (Iran, China, etc.). This means that we need to expect different democratizing effects of the Internet in different political contexts. The structure we have created for looking at the connection between the Internet and Democracy are “pathways” through which the Internet affects democracy. We are looking at how the former influences the latter, not how third factors affect both.

It would seem that private market influence falls into this “third factor” category. If we use the pathway model, we could argue that private markets have effected the Internet, then we must ask ourselves how this market-generated change in the Internet influences democracy. Is it new wealth and new political actors? That would fall into the organizing or participation category.

Also, I would say that international difference would be part of the context within which we evaluate each category. Clearly the Internet influences democracy in different ways under different political regimes. We have seen that the Internet has not yet been successful in overthrowing authoritarian regimes (Iran, China, etc.). This means that we need to expect different democratizing effects of the Internet in different political contexts.

]]> By: Alfred J. Fortin http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-the-internet-and-democracy-proj/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Alfred J. Fortin Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:53:38 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/2007/11/28/a-working-theoretical-blueprint-for-th#comment-17 A major category on the white board, it seems to me, would be the impact of the private market on both the internet and democracy. Christine Harold's "Our Space" cuts interesting ground here. Another white board item could be international differences in the use of the internet, for example by NGOs in the developing and the democratiizing impact of blogs etc. A major category on the white board, it seems to me, would be the impact of the private market on both the internet and democracy. Christine Harold’s “Our Space” cuts interesting ground here. Another white board item could be international differences in the use of the internet, for example by NGOs in the developing and the democratiizing impact of blogs etc.

]]>