Brian D. Loader|Dan Mercea
NETWORKING DEMOCRACY?
University of York|University of York
abstract early conceptions digital democracy virtual public sphere civic commons replaced new technological optimism democratic renewal based upon open collaborative networking characteristics social media article provides introduction special issue international journal information communication society attempts present grounded analysis claims drawing upon evidencebased research analysis cautious approach suggested potential social media facilitate participative democracy acknowledging disruptive value challenging traditional interests modes communicative power keywords digital democracyelectronic democracysocial mediapublic sphere notes articles special issue selected range papers presented ics symposium networking democracy took place july 2010 romanian city cluj