Democracy 2.0

The political world is drastically changing, likely for the better, and I am not simply referring to the current President Elect Barack Obama. How the current election was run through the various mediums out there allowed for it to be one of the biggest elections in regards to coverage and campaigning that there has ever been. While we had seen technology entering the political world in the Presidential race four years ago by Howard Dean’s Blog for America, it made a splash and Obama’s run for White House a success in 2008. Not only did Obama raise more money than any other candidate in private fundraising for his campaign, but he also reached out to the younger voters, both of which were made possible by the Internet. The campaign of 2008 put its stamp of presence permanently on the World Wide Web, and the Web will bring life and interest back to politics in the US with the help of a younger generation’s interest.

Obama’s run for the White House set the standards for all the future campaigns in how the Internet and other technologies in the 21st century can make for success. Perhaps his first best choice was to immediately launch a fully functioning website simultaneously with his announcement to run for president. In reading about how the Internet was key for Obama, BBC News reporter Steve Schifferes put it best:

“It (the Internet) has been particularly important for the Obama campaign, which was started from scratch with few resources and little name recognition. The Internet favours the outsider and gives them the ability to quickly mobilise supporters and money online.”

Society is full of people who feel as if they do not fit in, especially younger individuals when it comes to politics. We have used the Internet for so many other outlets to socialize, it only makes sense for us to take our social selves online to explore something as important as deciding our next leader. We have become comfortable socializing online with others as well as discussing important issues in our lives. Certainly politics ranks in those issues.

Throughout campaigns there is always some kind of reference made to how little younger Americans participate in politics much less vote. Honestly, when I turned 18 I took it as a great honor to be able to vote and voice my opinion in who I think should run our country. Sadly, I do not believe many of my peers felt the same nor do the youth of today. Or at least they didn’t. Now different avenues have opened for them to search out more information about politics. They can find a place in the political world, one that before they felt a bit out of place.

As America progresses along with technology, the political world needs to keep in mind that youngsters really are interested. Politics simply has to be made available to them in a way that they want to interact and participate with it. Americans 25 years and younger are currently (and will be going forth) wired. News and information must be placed at their fingertips in a format that interests them and available when they want it. They want Democracy 2.0. The following is a video of youth voices in just what Democracy 2.0 is and how much of a need for it there is:



Obama’s campaign fit into Democracy 2.0. In addition to his website, you could also sign up to receive emails regarding campaign news or text messages announcing key moments in the campaign, such as the text that was sent when Obama choose his vice presidential running mate. Those interested in seeking out who this man was could easily find the information and could also easily keep tabs on any developments.
Moving into the overall political world, politicians and those interested in politics are learning that to gain the interest of the younger generations, new mediums must be used as well. YouTube was one of the first to unleash this power. Together with CNN, a series of televised debates were held in which the candidates fielded questions that were submitted through YouTube. The YouTube submissions were from typical Americans.

Another site I found interesting was 10questions.com. Launched on October 17, 2007, this site, as described by its FAQ section, is the first truly people-powered online presidential forum that seeks to involve millions of voters in prioritizing the questions they want answered. My understanding is that the questions are then voted on by other visitors to the site, the most popular of questions are then asked. Certainly this site is a step in the right direction. We are all involved as beings in the social network and given the opportunity to participate in politics on our own terms. Society thrives on being able to interact like that, now more than ever in this technological age. The following is a video about 10questions.com and the future of politics online:



I see the Internet and other technologies like texting and emails having a huge impact in the years to come in politics. I am guessing the campaign managers for Obama certainly wouldn’t disagree.