Democracy and the Internet:

The media that democratic societies employ have profound effects on how democracy is conceptualized and practiced. Furthermore, any type of communication technology has some malleability and can be made less democratic or more so through a variety of means. Many "digerati", on the other hand, seem to believe that the Internet is inherently democratic. Sadly most signs indicate that the Internet is becoming less -- not more -- democratic with each passing day. As an unrepentant meliorist I offer several concrete suggestions (such as community networks) in my paper which are worth considering in the event that we as a society decide that democracy deserves more than lip service.