Vol. 7 No. 3 (2024): Pakistan Journal of International Affairs
Articles

DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CONTEMPORARY VOTING BEHAVIOR

Dr. Raana Afzal
University of Karachi Karachi - Pakistan
Dr. Hafsa Siddiqui
University of Karachi Karachi - Pakistan
Dr. Sharjeel Naveed
FUUAST Karachi - Pakistan

Published 2024-09-20

Keywords

  • Digital Democracy,
  • Social Media,
  • Voting Behavior,
  • Political Engagement,
  • Public Opinion,,
  • Electoral Outcomes,
  • Political Mobilization,
  • Misinformation,
  • Echo Chambers,
  • Political Polarization,
  • Targeted Advertising,
  • Micro-targeting
  • ...More
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Abstract

Before the middle of the 21st century, social media was an important aspect of political activity and voting. This research article is concerned with the impact of social media on voting in the existing political system and in the current era especially on the formation of opinion or consciousness, voting & the electoral process. On the basis of this observation, it is for the reason of providing a pluralistic perspective on the way that digital democracy is evolving within the Social Media context that this study aims to provide a comprehensive review of case studies and statistical data and theories. Thus, it mentions the threats that social media poses; however, it also poses possibilities of enhancing democratic participation. In addition, this study underscores the importance of developing strategies for using the effects of these social media for the benefit of society while, at the same time, developing strategies to disable the one, which has aims to distort the electoral systems with the aim of achieving equity in electoral activity in the new technology era.