Description
Book SynopsisSocial Media and Democratization in Iraqi Kurdistan assesses the implications of social media usage for democratization in the context of Iraqi Kurdistan. A considerable number of studies examine the impact of social media on the practice of democracy in liberal democratic contexts and on the democratization process in nondemocratic contexts. However, little is known about the rise and implications of using the Internet and social media platforms for democratization processes in a hybrid political system, like that of Iraqi Kurdistan, which combines elements of both democracy and authoritarianism. The author investigates the use of social media platforms by citizens, politicians, electoral candidates, and political parties, and its significance for political participation and political communication, which are selected as important elements of democratization. Based on original qualitative research, including interviews with activists, politicians, and party leaders, and an analysis of
Table of ContentsChapter 1: social media and democratization Chapter 2: Democratization in Iraqi Kurdistan: an overview Chapter 3: Social media, social movements and democratization: the case of the Slemani movement in 2011 Chapter 4: Social media, political discussion, and the Kurdish political parties: the case of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) Chapter 5: Social media, elections, and campaigns: the case of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections in 2013
