What e-politicians do with words: Online communication between councillors and citizens

Authors:
Arthur Edwards
Affiliations:
Erasmus University Rotterdam, PO Box 1738, Room M-8-25, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 10 4082395/ Fax: +31 10 4089099/ E-mail: edwards@fsw.eur.nl
Venue:
Information Polity
Year:
2008

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Abstract

This paper explores how Dutch councillors used an online forum that was established for communication between citizens and councillors. Councillor participation varied widely across parties and individuals. Councillors vary in their attitudes toward online communication with citizens. These differences are partly attributable to styles of representation. A research strategy based on speech act theory is used to identify these styles. Councillors have outspoken viewpoints concerning anonymity and tone. Personal competences to communicating with citizens effectively online are also important. The paper concludes by presenting a theoretical framework for explaining elected politicians' uses of online forums.