Communication Technology

by Darin Barney

Published 24 May 2005
When the Internet began to emerge as a popular new mode ofcommunication, many political scientists and social commentatorsbelieved that it would revolutionize our democratic institutions.Today, voter turnout is at an historic low and Internet usage is at anall-time high. Can we still make the claim that new information andcommunication technologies (ICTs) enhance democratic life in Canada?What effect does the technological mediation of political communicationhave on the practice of Canadian politics? How have such technologiesaffected the distribution of power in society?