Click On Democracy: The Internet's Power To Change Political Apathy Into Civic Action [Paperback]

Grant Reeher (Author), Steve Davis (Author), Larry Elin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813341833 | ISBN-13: 978-0813341835 | Publication Date: February 6, 2004

Click on Democracy examines the first national election in which the Internet played a major role. The contributors argue that the Internet's most profound political impact on Election 2000 has largely been missed or underestimated. The reason: the difference it made was more social than electoral, more about building political communities than about generating votes and money.Voter turnout has dwindled over the past forty years, and fewer Americans are involved in civic activities. The real story of the Internet is its emergence as a community builder - under the radar of most political observers who focus on large institutions - in a society that has become politically disengaged and disenchanted. The contributors to Click on Democracy talk at length with the people who are using the Internet in new and effective ways, and who are capitalizing on the Internet's power as a networking tool for civic action. Viewed from this bottom-up perspective, the Internet emerges as an exciting and powerful source of renewal for civic engagement.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Syracuse University professors Davis, Ellin and Reeher have taken it upon themselves to dispel the myth of the creepy, asocial Internet chat-room user by exploring how online communities leapt into action and flourished during the lengthy and confusing 2000 presidential election. While very informative, the book suffers from the penchant of the authors to spend too much time focusing on the life stories of a handful of web provocateurs-making the work drag as the bios progress to no real payoff. But the exposition of how politicians used (or failed to use) the Internet during the 2000 elections and the inside story of the political websites that sprang up to cover the goings-on is itself worth the price of admission. Despite the "digital divide" that still frustrates web activists, the authors give a hopeful account of the future of grassroots political action and community building on the Internet.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Grant Reeher has been teaching a local political internship course every semester for the past three years, and has supervised numerous students in Washington internships over the past ten years. He is also chair of the American Political Science Association's Organized Section on Undergraduate Education, and edits its newsletter, The Political Science Educator. Steve Davis is Associate Professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications.Larry Elin is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, and co-chair of Newhouse's Media and American Democracy Institute.Grant Reeher is Associate Professor of Political Science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and also a Senior Research Associate at Maxwell's Center for Policy Research. Steve Davis is Associate Professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications.Larry Elin is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, and co-chair of Newhouse's Media and American Democracy Institute.Grant Reeher is Associate Professor of Political Science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and also a Senior Research Associate at Maxwell's Center for Policy Research.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (February 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813341833
• ISBN-13: 978-0813341835
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,113,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Professional Review Doesn't Understand Democracy, December 7, 2002

By 

Dr. Alan D. Kardoff "animal lover" (Palm Bay, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Click On Democracy: The Internet's Power To Change Political Apathy Into Civic Action (Hardcover)

I read the professional review and disagree. I can be very pedantic and nit picking writing reviews, especially when a new approach comes along. Or, I can try to understand the purpose, process and results for and to individual readers as a caring professional, not just one who cranks reviews out. The book is meant for individuals and groups, not academics. Dr. Davis et. al. did an outstanding job of writing this book. It is highly informative and lively. A group of strangers got together to respond to the events as they were unfolding during the 2000 election, strictly relying on the Internet. There was great cohesiveness throughout the election. The group is still going two years later. The results of the process far exceeded expectations. The authors' present the use of the Internet in the democratic process very clearly and cohesively in a highly readable manner. While an active participant, my first obligation is to the readers. This is an excellent book. I highly recommend it, especially to those aspiring to utilize the Internet in political marketing, strategizing and effectively reaching the voting public.

Dr. Alan D. Kardoff
Mgmtdr
Melbourne, FL

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interviews and careful analysis of the Internet's power, January 10, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Click On Democracy: The Internet's Power To Change Political Apathy Into Civic Action (Hardcover)

Collaboratively written by Steve Davis (Associate professor, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University), Larry Elin (Assistant Professor, S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and co-chair of the Media and American Democracy Institute, Syracuse University), and Grant Reeher (Associate Professor of Political Science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University), Click On Democracy: The Internet's Power To Change Political Apathy Into Civic Action is a an engaging and informative examination at how the Internet just might be the answer to dismally low voter turnouts. Interviews and careful analysis of the Internet's power to reach the masses and educate them about political realities and issues fill the pages of this exciting and thoughtfully proactive account. Click On Democracy is a seminal, ground breaking contribution, and should be part of every college and university Political Science reference collection -- as well as on the personal reading list of every political activist and politician regardless of their party affiliation or issue oriented campaign.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for internet activists, December 9, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Click On Democracy: The Internet's Power To Change Political Apathy Into Civic Action (Hardcover)

A well researched book that I would recommend to anyone that is online and interested in politics. Although the book's timing may be late in terms of the 2000 Elections, it is interesting to read the many profiles of people that are working actively on the internet to impact local and national politics. The book left me anticipating what events might take place during the NEXT presidential election...