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Blogwars
Political blogs have grown astronomically in the last half-decade. In just one month in 2005, for example, popular blog DailyKos received more unique visitors than the population of Iowa and New Hampshire combined. But how much political impact do bloggers really have?
In Blogwars , David D. Perlmutter examines this rapidly burgeoning phenomenon, exploring the degree to which blogs influence--or fail to influence--American political life. Challenging the hype, Perlmutter points out that blogs are not that powerful by traditional political while bloggers can offer cogent and convincing arguments and bring before their readers information not readily available elsewhere, they have no financial, moral, social, or cultural leverage to compel readers to engage in any particular political behavior. Indeed, blogs have scored mixed results in their past political crusades. But in the end, Perlmutter argues that blogs, in their wide dissemination of information and opinions, actually serve to improve democracy and enrich political culture. He highlights a number of the particularly noteworthy blogs from the specialty to the superblog-including popular sites such as Daily Kos, The Huffington Post, Powerlineblog, Instapundit, and Talking Points
Memo--and shows how blogs are becoming part of the tool kit of political professionals, from presidential candidates to advertising consultants. While the political future may be uncertain, it will not be unblogged.
For many Internet users, blogs are the news and editorial sites of record, replacing traditional newspapers, magazines, and television news programs. Blogwars offers the first full examination of this new and controversial force on America's political landscape.
In Blogwars , David D. Perlmutter examines this rapidly burgeoning phenomenon, exploring the degree to which blogs influence--or fail to influence--American political life. Challenging the hype, Perlmutter points out that blogs are not that powerful by traditional political while bloggers can offer cogent and convincing arguments and bring before their readers information not readily available elsewhere, they have no financial, moral, social, or cultural leverage to compel readers to engage in any particular political behavior. Indeed, blogs have scored mixed results in their past political crusades. But in the end, Perlmutter argues that blogs, in their wide dissemination of information and opinions, actually serve to improve democracy and enrich political culture. He highlights a number of the particularly noteworthy blogs from the specialty to the superblog-including popular sites such as Daily Kos, The Huffington Post, Powerlineblog, Instapundit, and Talking Points
Memo--and shows how blogs are becoming part of the tool kit of political professionals, from presidential candidates to advertising consultants. While the political future may be uncertain, it will not be unblogged.
For many Internet users, blogs are the news and editorial sites of record, replacing traditional newspapers, magazines, and television news programs. Blogwars offers the first full examination of this new and controversial force on America's political landscape.
- GenresPolitics
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2007
12 people want to read
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October 4, 2014
An informative look at the origins of blogging, as used in the political arena in the US from 2003/4 to 2007. There was a lot (I mean a lot) about the minutiae of specific campaign moments, and this made it somewhat distancing for an observer of the US system, rather than a participant. But still, it provides a good analysis of how blogs of all kinds function as 21st communities.
It was interesting reading this in the light of the 2014 New Zealand General Election, in which the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog was arguably shown to be the gloved hand of the governing National Party, doing the dirty work party leaders couldn't be seen to do. Not what Perlmutter had in mind when he states, "Political blogging is the province of people who are passionate about politics, policies, and public affairs and will work to change the world."
Perlmutter closes with the firm belief that "Blogs . . .instead of spurring political cynicism, will rejuvenate political participation by making us all more responsible citizens."
To which, from the vantage point of 2014, I can only reply, "Hahahahahahahahahaha."
It was interesting reading this in the light of the 2014 New Zealand General Election, in which the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog was arguably shown to be the gloved hand of the governing National Party, doing the dirty work party leaders couldn't be seen to do. Not what Perlmutter had in mind when he states, "Political blogging is the province of people who are passionate about politics, policies, and public affairs and will work to change the world."
Perlmutter closes with the firm belief that "Blogs . . .instead of spurring political cynicism, will rejuvenate political participation by making us all more responsible citizens."
To which, from the vantage point of 2014, I can only reply, "Hahahahahahahahahaha."
Displaying 1 of 1 review