The document discusses the concept of the public sphere as developed by Jurgen Habermas. It describes how the emergence of the public sphere in 18th century Europe provided a space for democratic deliberation and decision making among common citizens. This contrasted with prior political systems where power was concentrated among monarchs and aristocrats with little citizen participation. The document then outlines how Yochai Benkler and others have described the modern networked public sphere enabled by digital technologies, allowing for greater diversity of voices, accessibility and potential for social and political change. However, it also notes challenges like echo chambers and concentration of power that can undermine public discourse. The role of the networked public sphere in politics and elections is discussed, including how candidates and

1. Somayeh Tayebi
PHD Student

2. the Enlightenment era in
Europe, particularly in 18th
century Britain and France.
• the rise of a new
middle class
• the growth of
urbanization
• literacy
a shift in the way
people thought about
politics and society
growing emphasis on
reason, rationality, and
individual freedom
growing demand for greater political
participation and representation
political power was
concentrated in the
hands of monarchs
and aristocrats
little opportunity for
ordinary citizens to
participate in public
life
The historical roots of the public sphere‫؛‬
social and political conditions
attempt to create a space for
democratic deliberation and
decision-making
Prior to the emergence
of the public sphere

3. The Public Sphere
as a critical element of democratic societies
Habermas cautions that media can
also be a source of distortion and
manipulation, particularly when they
are controlled by powerful interests.
Habermas also emphasizes the
importance of the media in creating
and sustaining the public sphere. He
argues that media outlets, such as
newspapers and television programs,
provide a platform for individuals to
share their opinions and engage in
public debate. However, Habermas
cautions that media can also be a
source of distortion and manipulation,
particularly when they are controlled
by powerful interests.
(the eighteenth century) - was centered around literary
salons, coffeehouses, and newspapers
(the nineteenth century) - was focused on political
debates and the formation of public opinion - the growth
of political parties, mass circulation newspapers, and
public meetings
(the twentieth century ) - increasing importance of
electronic media, such as radio, television - a wide
range of voices and opinions -the potential for
manipulation and distortion
literary
public sphere
political public
sphere
mediated
public sphere
critical indicators of the
health of democracy itself

4. Goverment
People
Public
Sphere
The Public Sphere
A Concept in Social and Political Theory
participate in the public discourse
(democratic discourse)
To challenge
power structures
To hold those
in power
accountable.
important means of
fostering social and
political change
Raising awareness of
social issues and
mobilizing collective
action
Means of promoting civic engagement, political participation, and the
development of a shared sense of identity and community
affect society as a whole
Traditional
mass media
public meetings
Public forums
informal conversations
between individuals
protests

5. a platform for a
wider range of
voices to be heard
2006
Yochai Benkler
The networked public sphere is
a framework that describes how digital
communication technologies, such as social media,
have transformed the way public discourse and
debate take place.
enables people to connect and
communicate with one another
regardless of their physical
location or social status
to engage in public conversations
and debates that were previously
limited to smaller, more exclusive
groups
The Networked Public Sphere
The Space of Public Discourse and Discussion

6. Autonomy
Accessibility
Decentralizatio
n
Diversity
• giving voice to marginalized
groups
• enabling a wider range of
perspectives and viewpoints to
be heard.
• greater transparency and accountability
in government and other institutions
• to hold leaders and decision-makers
accountable for their actions
• To challenge the power of traditional
gatekeepers, such as governments,
corporations, and the media, in shaping
public opinion
• making it easier for citizens to
access and share information
• share their opinions, ideas, and
experiences with a global
audience
• All users become creators and primary
subjects.
• They no longer need be consumers
and passive spectators.
• To promote social change
• To enable new forms of collective
action
Four Key Features of The Networked Public Sphere
The potentials of the democratic Internet
Allows all citizens to change their
relationship to the public sphere.

7. The internet and other digital communication technologies have
created the potential for individuals to self-select into ideological
or cultural echo chambers, and that this could undermine the
quality of public discourse and democratic decision-making.
Cass Sunstein
2006
The Networked Public Sphere
Its implications for democracy, civic engagement, and social change

8. 2008
sees the networked public sphere as a powerful
force for change, but one that requires ongoing
attention and engagement to ensure that it
fulfills its potential as a space for democratic
participation and debate, while also highlighting
the importance of being thoughtful and
deliberate in how we engage with these new
digital spaces.
THE Networked Public Sphere
A powerful force for change
Caily Shirky

9. echo chamber effect
filter bubbles
polarization
(DMMI)
concentration of
power in the hands
of a few dominant
tech companies
Challenges of
The Networked Public Sphere
It can limit the quality of
public discourse and
hinder constructive
debate

10. Candidates
and
campaigns
Monitor public opinion
to track public sentiment and to
identify key issues and concerns
among voters.
Respond to feedback
to respond quickly and effectively
to feedback and criticism from
voters, and to adjust their
messaging and strategy
accordingly.
Reach a wider audience
to reach voters across the country and
around the world, without the need for
expensive broadcast media or other
traditional forms of political
advertising.
Mobilize supporters
to organize and mobilize
volunteers, supporters, and
donors, and to encourage them to
participate in campaign events and
activities.
The Networked Public Sphere
And Presidential election

11. to provide a space for voters to discuss and
debate political issues with a wide range of
others, including friends, family, and strangers.
to provide a space for voters to hold
candidates accountable for their actions and
statements, and to share information and
feedback with others.
to access a wide range of information about
candidates, including their policy positions, voting
records, and personal backgrounds.
to organize and mobilize around issues and
candidates, and to encourage others to participate
in the political process.
voters
Discuss and debate political issues
Access information
Organize and mobilize
Hold candidates accountable
The Networked Public Sphere
And Presidential election

12. • Habermas, Jürgen; The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry Into a Category
of Bourgeois Society
• Benkler,Yochai; The Wealth of Networks How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom
• Sunstein, Cass; Republic.com 2.0
• The Political Power of Social Media Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265407978_The_Political_Power_of_Social_Media_Technolo
gy_the_Public_Sphere_and_Political_Change
Sources

13. Thanks