The Politics of Internet Communication

By Robert Klotz

Book Overview

This concise book explores the wide range of topics at the intersection of politics and the Internet. Recognizing the changes in the Internet over time, Klotz provides an innovative analysis of online access, activities, advocacy, government, journalism, and social capital. The politics of the Internet is considered along with politics on the Internet. A highlight is the in-depth discussion of cyberlaw that provides an accessible framework for understanding the legal treatment of key issues such as music file-sharing, privacy, terrorism, spam, pornography, and domain names. Examples from the 2002 midterm elections and the early 2004 campaign fundraising success of Howard Dean add currency to the debate about the impact of the Internet on democratic politcs.

The author conveys the vitality and humor of Internet politics in a way that readers will enjoy. From impassioned debate about imaginary legislation to the animal rights group PETA's lawsuit taking peta.org from "People Eating Tasty Animals," Klotz brings the colorful history of the Internet to life. Written from an interdisciplinary perspective, the book is infused with original longitudinal data, examples, online resources and landmark events that reveal how the Internet is enriching both public and private life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0742529258
• ISBN13: 9780742529250
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

"A solid choice"

Full of detailed and thorough original research, this informative and witty publication is a must read for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the impact the internet is having on modern day politics. Robert Klotz gives us not only up-to-date, factual information on everything from evolving cyber terms (ever wonder about 'blogs' or 'cyber-squatting?') to government regulations and online political advocacy, but he also gives us something larger than that. Klotz provides us with the perspective necessary to grasp the implications of a high-speed communication forum on America's characteristically unhurried legislative and judicial systems - and neatly explicates the resulting adaptations in readily comprehensible language. Concise, compelling - superb.

Modern Politics via the Internet

The author has provided his readers with a knowledgeable analysis of the changes taking place in U.S. politics as a result of the increased use of the internet. He is to be commended for addressing topics that are not generally discussed in the media and which are changing both the way politicians and organizations present themselves and the dynamics of our basic political institutions.

Enjoyable book about the Internet

The book is about all the ways that politics and the Internet come together. It includes history, law, social effects, access, journalism, campaigning, and organizing. It does a great job of showing how the Internet has changed over time. The section about online journalism is especially good. The cyberlaw part is accessible with some excellent practical advice. I gained some ideas about how to better use the Internet.