What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis
Democratic governments frequently use online tools to include large numbers of citizens in participation processes. Against the backdrop of deliberative theories, such initiatives are subject to normative needs. This article examines the equality of participation. Previous research has mainly focuse...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Westminster Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Deliberative Democracy |
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| Online Access: | https://delibdemjournal.org/article/id/1021/ |
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| author | Dennis Friess Katharina Esau |
| author_facet | Dennis Friess Katharina Esau |
| author_sort | Dennis Friess |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Democratic governments frequently use online tools to include large numbers of citizens in participation processes. Against the backdrop of deliberative theories, such initiatives are subject to normative needs. This article examines the equality of participation. Previous research has mainly focused on equality in terms of access to, and voice within, deliberation processes. However, much less is known about the factors that influence the distribution of reciprocity in online political discussions. Proposing a theoretical distinction between simple replying and deliberative reciprocity, this study addresses the question: What obstructs or promotes deliberative reciprocity online? Drawing on previous online communication research, we assume that communication style, gender and users’ activity are important predictors of simple replying and deliberative reciprocity. Results of a relational quantitative content analysis indicate that in order to receive deliberative reciprocity users should ask questions, propose arguments, be humorous, have a critical attitude and use a male user name. Storytelling and expressions of emotions show no significant associations with deliberative reciprocity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-961242e48337466d94eea72ecba02f19 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2634-0488 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | University of Westminster Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Deliberative Democracy |
| spelling | doaj-art-961242e48337466d94eea72ecba02f192025-08-20T02:51:00ZengUniversity of Westminster PressJournal of Deliberative Democracy2634-04882022-06-0118110.16997/jdd.1021What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content AnalysisDennis Friess0Katharina Esau1Institute for internet and democracy, University of DüsseldorfDepartment of Communication and Media Science, University of DüsseldorfDemocratic governments frequently use online tools to include large numbers of citizens in participation processes. Against the backdrop of deliberative theories, such initiatives are subject to normative needs. This article examines the equality of participation. Previous research has mainly focused on equality in terms of access to, and voice within, deliberation processes. However, much less is known about the factors that influence the distribution of reciprocity in online political discussions. Proposing a theoretical distinction between simple replying and deliberative reciprocity, this study addresses the question: What obstructs or promotes deliberative reciprocity online? Drawing on previous online communication research, we assume that communication style, gender and users’ activity are important predictors of simple replying and deliberative reciprocity. Results of a relational quantitative content analysis indicate that in order to receive deliberative reciprocity users should ask questions, propose arguments, be humorous, have a critical attitude and use a male user name. Storytelling and expressions of emotions show no significant associations with deliberative reciprocity.https://delibdemjournal.org/article/id/1021/online deliberationreciprocitylisteningequalityrelational content analysis |
| spellingShingle | Dennis Friess Katharina Esau What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis Journal of Deliberative Democracy online deliberation reciprocity listening equality relational content analysis |
| title | What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis |
| title_full | What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis |
| title_fullStr | What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis |
| title_short | What Creates Listening Online? Exploring Reciprocity in Online Political Discussions with Relational Content Analysis |
| title_sort | what creates listening online exploring reciprocity in online political discussions with relational content analysis |
| topic | online deliberation reciprocity listening equality relational content analysis |
| url | https://delibdemjournal.org/article/id/1021/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dennisfriess whatcreateslisteningonlineexploringreciprocityinonlinepoliticaldiscussionswithrelationalcontentanalysis AT katharinaesau whatcreateslisteningonlineexploringreciprocityinonlinepoliticaldiscussionswithrelationalcontentanalysis |