Online Participation and Mobilisation in Britain: Hype, Hope and Reality

This article examines the effects of the Internet on political participation in Britain. In particular it examines the 'normalisation' thesis which argues that the Internet will produce relatively few attitudinal or behavioural changes in the mass public, but rather will tend to reinforce and reflect existing patterns of participation. The evidence suggests that given the hype surrounding the emergence of the Internet, its subsequent impact in the political sphere has been limited. However, it has the potential to bring new individuals into the political process and it can deepen and enhance the participatory experiences of citizens in general.