The Costs of Democratization

This article suggests challenges, primarily, for enacting social media and networking technologies for public participation. Approached from multiple theoretical lenses for the purpose of public participation (representative, pluralist, direct, and deliberative theories) and multiple filters that can shape the design and implementation of technologies (organizational culture, administrative culture, formal institutions, and political intelligence), the article advances a research agenda in this still nascent field of inquiry. The practice of applying social media and networking tools is still evolving; the intention in specifying hypotheses is to guide future research and to encourage reflexive practitioners as they embark on new relationships with citizens.