The Politics of Internet Communication [Paperback]

Robert J. Klotz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0742529266 | ISBN-13: 978-0742529267

This concise book explores the wide range of topics at the intersection of politics and the Internet. Recognizing the changes in the Internet over time, Klotz provides an innovative analysis of online access, activities, advocacy, government, journalism, and social capital. The politics of the Internet is considered along with politics on the Internet. A highlight is the in-depth discussion of cyberlaw that provides an accessible framework for understanding the legal treatment of key issues such as music file-sharing, privacy, terrorism, spam, pornography, and domain names. Examples from the 2002 midterm elections and the early 2004 campaign fundraising success of Howard Dean add currency to the debate about the impact of the Internet on democratic politcs. The author conveys the vitality and humor of Internet politics in a way that readers will enjoy. From impassioned debate about imaginary legislation to the animal rights group PETA's lawsuit taking peta.org from 'People Eating Tasty Animals,' Klotz brings the colorful history of the Internet to life. Written from an interdisciplinary perspective, the book is infused with original longitudinal data, examples, online resources and landmark events that reveal how the Internet is enriching both public and private life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A good resource providing insight into Internet regulation, government on the Web, and the Internet and political advocacy. Recommended. (Choice )

A truly comprehensive overview . . . including cases and controversies, summaries of data, trends, and histories dividing Internet politics into clear eras--all make The Politics of Internet Communication a strong textbook. (Kevin G. Barnhurst )

The Internet is changing how we do democracy, and The Politics of Internet Communication provides an accessible introduction to the reasons why. In bringing us up to speed on the growth, uses, and impact of Internet communication in democratic politics, Robert Klotz gives us a clear and compelling overview of important developments that will reshape politics in the twenty-first century. (Scott Althaus )

This book is a must-read for anyone who hopes to understand the role of the Internet on democratic politics. Clear, concise, and packed full of useful empirical data and historically rich detail, The Politics of Internet Communication deals with important issues currently debated by scholars and journalists. Klotz's analyses are compelling and his conclusion that the Internet acts to strengthen the relationship between citizens and leaders offers a valuable contribution to the discussion of democracy and mass communications. (Mark Joslyn )

As Net politickers improve in assembling support networks and bringing their collective resources--including intelligence as well as money and volunteer hours--to bear on civic institutions and processes, they may redeem Klotz's optimisim about the Internetas a "Net Gain for Democracy." (Political Science Quarterly )

Robert Klotz does a fine job describing how the Internet is changing the modern world. He addresses important issues such as how the Internet is revolutionizing the news business and why we need to consider the effects and ethics of Web-based politics. Academics and general readers alike will find this to be a stimulating and useful book. (Philip Seib )

Robert J. Klotz's fascinating book explores the roots and growth of one of the most important tools of communication and political change in human history, the Internet. (Rhetoric & Public Affairs )

From the Back Cover

"In bringing us up to speed on the growth, uses, and impact of Internet communication in democratic politics, Robert Klotz gives us a clear and compelling overview of important developments that will reshape politics in the twenty-first century." - Scott Althaus, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

"This book is a must read for anyone who hopes to understand the role of the Internet in democratic politics. Clear, concise, and packed full of useful empirical data and historically rich detail, 'The Politics of Internet Communication' deals with important issues currently debated by scholars and journalists." - Mark Joslyn, The University of Kansas

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (November 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742529266
• ISBN-13: 978-0742529267
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,274,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable book about the Internet, February 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Politics of Internet Communication (Paperback)

The book is about all the ways that politics and the Internet come together. It includes history, law, social effects, access, journalism, campaigning, and organizing. It does a great job of showing how the Internet has changed over time. The section about online journalism is especially good. The cyberlaw part is accessible with some excellent practical advice. I gained some ideas about how to better use the Internet.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A solid choice", September 20, 2004

By 

K. Hebold - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Politics of Internet Communication (Paperback)

Full of detailed and thorough original research, this informative and witty publication is a must read for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the impact the internet is having on modern day politics. Robert Klotz gives us not only up-to-date, factual information on everything from evolving cyber terms (ever wonder about 'blogs' or 'cyber-squatting?') to government regulations and online political advocacy, but he also gives us something larger than that. Klotz provides us with the perspective necessary to grasp the implications of a high-speed communication forum on America's characteristically unhurried legislative and judicial systems - and neatly explicates the resulting adaptations in readily comprehensible language. Concise, compelling - superb.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you!, October 24, 2004

By 

Ethan Guevara "ECG" (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Politics of Internet Communication (Hardcover)

I am a Poli. Sci. student in New Haven, Connecticut. Last semester I took a course titled, Politics and the Internet- An Online Revolution. The course was interesting but the professor, while extremely brilliant on a wide range of political issues, was 74 years old, and not as internet savvy as he should have been. The text was dull at best, and while I will not name it, was too technical, poorly researched, and truly did not teach me a thing. With my grade, and GPA on the line, I searched for any alternative. I found Doctor Klotz's book here on Amazon, and bought it. I was very lucky to have found this book. It is detailed, but not bogged down and boring, and is clearly well thought out. I have also been able to use this book as part of my research on the rise and fall of Howard Dean. I want to thank Dr. Klotz for writing this book, and for saving my grade!

P.S- While I do not know that anyone will look at this in the next few weeks, and I also know that this is not a political forum, but please, everyone VOTE!!! (especially for Kerry!).