In a special issue of Social Media + Society, Gina Masullo and Martin Riedl curate a collection of scholarly articles that explore connective democracy, an initiative led by the Center for Media Engagement that unites newsrooms, scholars, platforms, and public policy entities in a methodical approach toward bridging gaps in our society.
Abstract
This special issue explores connective democracy, a new theoretical approach to fighting and understanding political polarization and divisiveness online. Connective democracy asks scholars to think about solutions that bridge societal and political divides, particularly on social media. Our collection of six articles theorizes connective democracy and applies the theoretical concept to global situations, such as nurturing freedom of speech in Myanmar (Burma) and discussions of a new constitution in Chile. The articles in this special issue also consider how connective democracy is useful for understanding current problems related to polarization, such as misinformation and online vitriol, as well as how social media affordances support connective democracy. This body of work contributes to our understanding of how to deal with one of the most challenging problems facing democracy today, rampant polarization and divisiveness online.
Read more from Masullo and Reidl’s introduction – which delves into the problem of political divisiveness and how the framework of connective democracy can help us understand and address it – and then explore the full collection of articles.