Cooptation and Cooperation: Institutional Exemplars of Democratic Internet Technology
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democratic theory
indymedia
internet activism
online political action
technology studies
Communication
Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Abstract
This article examines how online political groups are co-opting internet technology from commercial interests to amplify various cooperative processes. After formulating a framework for praxis-based democratic theories of technology, I select four internet-based groups as institutional exemplars for analysis: Democratic Underground, Free Republic, Indymedia, and Move On.These groups implement distinct types of democratic applications of internet technology and embody specific strands of democratic theory. I conclude by commenting on the direction of internet-based democratic practices, their political efficacy in terms of strategy and tactics, and how they figure within US political culture.