[Commlist] new book: Internet Democracy and Social Change: The Case of Israel

New book: Internet Democracy and Social Change: The Case of Israel
By
Carmit Wiesslitz, Ph.D.
Department of Politics & Communication
Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem, Israel

The book may be of interest not only to those who are interested in the 
Israeli civil society but also to those that are interested in the study 
of Internet and social change. Here are a few words about the book:

This book examines to what extent the democratic potential ascribed to 
the Internet is realized in practice, and how civil society 
organizations exploit the unique features of the Internet to attain 
their goals. This is the story of the organization members’ outlooks and 
impressions of digital platforms’ role as tools for social change; a 
story that debunks a common myth about the Internet and collective 
action. In a time when social media are credited with immense power in 
generating social change, this book serves as an important reminder that 
reality for activists and social change organizations is more 
complicated. Thus, the book sheds light on the back stage of social 
change organizations’ operations as they struggle to gain visibility in 
the infinite sea of civil groups competing for attention in the online 
public sphere. While many studies focus on the performative dimension of 
collective action (such as protests), this book highlights the 
challenges of these organizations’ mundane routines.

Using a unique analytical perspective based on a 
structural-organizational approach, and a longitudinal study that 
utilizes a decade worth of data related to the specific case of Israel 
and its highly conflicted and turbulent society, the book makes a 
significant contribution to study of new media and to theories of 
Internet, democracy, and social change.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, this book encompasses three key 
aspects essential to the study of the relationship between democracy and 
Internet: traditional media and alternative media; activism and 
collective action; and democratic debate.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Internet as an Alternative to Traditional Mainstream Media
Chapter 2: The Internet as a means of public outreach
Chapter 3: Mobilizing the people: Online organizing and recruitment
Chapter 4: Online discussions: Is the Internet a deliberative and 
democratic platform for debate?
Conclusion

For more information, here are a few links:

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498539791/Internet-Democracy-and-Social-Change-The-Case-of-Israel 
<https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498539791/Internet-Democracy-and-Social-Change-The-Case-of-Israel> 
https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Democracy-Social-Change-Israel/dp/1498539785>

https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Democracy-Social-Change-Israel/dp/1498539785


---------------
The COMMLIST
---------------
This mailing list is a free service offered by Nico Carpentier. Please use it responsibly and wisely.
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit http://commlist.org/
--
Before sending a posting request, please always read the guidelines at http://commlist.org/
--
To contact the mailing list manager:
Email: (nico.carpentier /at/ vub.ac.be)
URL: http://nicocarpentier.net
---------------