Chapter 3: Citizen Participation and Online Environments After a Crisis of Democracy: Lessons from Iceland

Magdalena Karolak, Zayed University

Document Type

Book Chapter

Source of Publication

Communicating Change: Civic Innovation And Social Movements

Publication Date

11-3-2025

Abstract

This research aims to provide insights into the role of the Internet in modern politics using Iceland as a case study. Based on this example, it discusses the potential new technologies hold for well-established democracies that have experienced profound political crises. Several studies highlighted the democratizing effects of the Internet, and Iceland may offer fresh evidence to what extent the Internet contributes to consolidating democratic practices. The country was deeply affected by the financial crisis from 2008 to 2011, which, among others, implicated Icelandic politicians. The economic downfall and the inadequate responses of the government created mistrust in the political system that mobilized civil society online and offline. Through in-depth interviews with Icelandic activists from various levels of the state and from civil society organizations, this research provides a nuanced analysis of how stakeholders engaged in democratic consolidation processes may employ online strategies for this purpose.

ISBN

978-1-80592-329-9; 978-1-80592-330-5

ISSN

2050-2060

Publisher

Emerald Publishing Limited

Volume

27

First Page

27

Last Page

46

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Iceland, democratic consolidation, Internet, social media, systemic failure

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

no

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