Digitalization of Democratic Processes in Europe: Southern and Central Europe in Comparative Perspective (Studies in Digital Politics and Governance)

This book explores the digital transformations of democracy and democratic societies. It examines the various challenges posed by these transformations in the context of political practice and to theoreticians of democracy and political communication. The authors present studies from different countries, related to various effects of digitalization processes. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Innovation in civil society research, new forms of civic participation, new dimensions of democratization and local governance processes, political changes and public participation, civic and political activities, political campaigning or other phenomenon driven by the implementation of information and communications technology (ICT) into politics. Therefore, the book is a must-read for all scholars and researchers of political science, practitioners, and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of digitalpolitics, digitalization processes, and democracy in general. Acknowledgments About This Book Contents Contributors 1 Dynamics, Risks and Opportunities of Digitalization: An Introduction 1 Lessons from Central/Eastern and Southern Europe 2 The Internet and Democracy 3 Concerns About Democracy in the Digital Age References 2 E-Voting and Transformation of Participation in Europe: Exploring the Profile of E-Voters in Poland 1 Introduction 2 ICT and Transformation of Participation: Participation—E-Participation—E-Voting 3 Methodology 4 Results 4.1 Europe 4.2 Poland 5 Conclusions and Questions References 3 YouTube and Traditional Media: Polarization in the Catalan Political Conflict 1 Introduction 2 Methodology 3 Findings 4 Conclusion and Discussion References 4 Digital (and Traditional) Media Usage in Spanish Electoral Campaigns 1 Introduction 2 Theoretical Framework 3 Methodology 4 Results 5 Conclusions References 5 The “Non-Campaign” and the “Non-Elections” on the Internet in the 2020 “Spring” Presidential Election Campaign in Poland 1 Introduction: The Internet as an Electoral Communication Channel 2 Election Campaign During the Epidemic 3 Research and Results 4 Conclusion References 6 Exploring the Role of New Media in Evolution of Political Rivalry in Poland—Evidences from Presidential Elections from 1995 to 2015 1 Introduction 2 Literature Review 3 Methodology 4 Results 5 Conclusions References 7 The Use of ICT in the Citizens’ Legislative Initiative in Poland: State of Art and Proposals for Change 1 Introduction 2 Current Legal Status 3 Proposed Amendments 4 Conclusions References 8 Political Participation in the Internet Age: Mobile Applications as Tools Determining Political Activity 1 Introduction 2 The Current State of Research 3 Methodology 4 Mobile Applications 5 Results 6 Conclusions and Questions References 9 Digitization of Local Government Communication on the Example of the City of Poznań 1 Introduction 2 Local Communication 3 Subject of Research 4 Methodology 5 Results 6 Conclusions References 10 NLP on YouTube: A Look on Feminism 1 Introduction 2 Theoretical Framework 3 Methodology 4 Results 5 Conclusions References 11 Mobile Devices: A Public Source of Private Data 1 Mobile Devices—A Public Source of Private Data 2 Examining of Mobile Applications 3 Advertising Identifier Aggregators 4 Risks Arising from the Aggregation of Information Transmitted by Applications 5 How Can You Ensure Privacy and Protect Your Data? References 12 Polish Academic Experts on Terrorism and Their Media Presence: Sample Analysis 1 Introduction 2 Literature Review 3 Materials and Methods 4 Results Based on the Methods Undertaken: Academic Experts and the Media 4.1 Passive Media Presence: Experts in the “Traditional” Media 4.2 Active Expert Presence in the Social Media: The Use of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn 4.3 Additional Active Online Presence of Academic Experts: Personal Web Sites, Blogs, YouTube, Academic Publications 5 Results of Qualitative Search and Expert-Based Findings 6 Discussion 7 Conclusions References 13 The Untapped Potential: The Inclusive, Personal and Co-created Public Service Experience in Europe 1 Introduction 2 What Is Proactive and Personal Service Delivery? 3 The Rational for Personal and Proactive Service Delivery 4 Current State of Data Use and Personalization 5 Approaches to Personalized Online Service Delivery 5.1 User-Centricity, Intuitive and Value-Adding Service Design Are Essential 5.2 Utilize Existing Infrastructure, Key Enablers and Data 5.3 Legislative Risks and Opportunities 6 User-Engagement 6.1 Indirect User-Engagement 6.2 Direct User-Engagement 7 Conclusion References Dynamics, Risks and Opportunities of Digitalization: an Introduction -- E-voting and Transformation of Participation in Europe: Exploring the Profile of E-voters in Poland -- YouTube and Traditional Media: Polarization in the Catalan Political Conflict -- Digital (and traditional) media usage in Spanish electoral campaigns -- The "Non-Campaign" and the "Non-Elections" on the Internet in the 2020 "Spring" Presidential Election Campaign in Poland -- Exploring the Role of New Media in Evolution of Political Rivalry in Poland - Eevidences From Presidential Elections From 1995-2015 -- The Use of ICT in the Citizens' Legislative Initiative in Poland - State of Art and Proposals for Change -- Political Participation in the Internet Age. Mobile Applications as Tools Determining Political Activity -- Digitization of Local Government Communication on the Example of the City of Poznań -- NLP on YouTube: A Look on Feminism -- Mobile Devices - a Public Source of Private Data -- Polish Academic Experts on Terrorism and Their Media Presence: Sample Analysis -- The Untapped Potential: The Inclusive, Personal and Co-Created Public Service Experience in Europe This book explores the digital transformations of democracy and democratic societies. It examines the various challenges posed by these transformations in the context of political practice and to theoreticians of democracy and political communication. The authors present studies from different countries, related to various effects of digitalization processes. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: Innovation in civil society research, new forms of civic participation, new dimensions of democratization and local governance processes, political changes and public participation, civic and political activities, political campaigning or other phenomenon driven by the implementation of information and communications technology (ICT) into politics. Therefore, the book is a must-read for all scholars and researchers of political science, practitioners, and policy-makers, interested in a better understanding of digital politics, digitalization processes, and democracy in general