The internet : a new medium for political campaigning

Abstract

Throughout the years, the human being has learned to adapt to the numerous changes and developments brought about by the new technological breakthroughs. As we are in the beginning of the 21st century, we as human beings have been provided by another technological challenge which can revolutionize practically everything we do, the Internet. The Internet has profoundly changed the way we communicate, the way we gather information, the way we entertain ourselves, and even the way we conduct our business. Is the Internet also going to change the art of political campaigning? Since early times, the quest for power and control over other human beings has been at the centre of all historical landmarks. And even after centuries of time this quest is still central to the 21st century society. Will the Internet affect this war for political control in the same way did other discoveries, such as those of gunpowder, firearms, or nuclear weapons, in their times? This dissertation seeks to investigate the immense opportunities and tools which the internet offers to politicians and the electorate. It also seeks to examine whether such a tool is effective and also its possible effectiveness in Malta has been evaluated.