Social media has transformed the relationship between citizens, political institutions and democratic processes. Digital platforms have expanded opportunities for political participation, rapid information exchange and political mobilization, while simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities through misinformation, disinformation, polarization, algorithmic amplification and manipulation of public opinion. This panel seeks contemporary cases from different regions to critically examine how social media is reshaping the practice and quality of democracy in the twenty-first century.
The panel welcomes comparative and country-specific studies examining recent elections, political movements, policy debates and episodes of democratic contestation. Potential cases may include India’s 2024 general election, the 2024 US presidential election, the 2024 European Parliament elections, political mobilization and misinformation surrounding elections in Brazil, democratic contestation in Kenya and South Africa, and the role of digital platforms in political developments across South and Southeast Asia. Particular attention may be given to the emergence of AI-generated content, deepfakes, political influencers, platform governance and digital campaigning.
The panel aims to identify whether social media strengthens democratic participation or deepens democratic uncertainty. It invites papers exploring digital citizenship, electoral integrity, media literacy, platform accountability, algorithmic governance and democratic resilience, ultimately assessing how democratic institutions can adapt to an increasingly digital political environment.
