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Political participation on social media: conceptual and empirical state of the art and research agenda

Cato Waeterloos (UGent)
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Abstract
Over the past decades, political participation in an online context has gained substantive attention. However, it is only recently that conceptual advancements have been made concerning the specific expressive and mobilizing practices that occur on social media. This article argues on the importance and implications of recognizing political participation on social media as a conceptually distinct mode of political participation, shaped by unique affordances that highlight its networked and political character. Specifically, the article provides a conceptual and normative state of the art regarding online and social media political participation. By discussing the empirical implications of prominent theoretical assumptions in the field, three key research gaps are identified and I propose a research agenda for the field of political communication.
Keywords
political participation, social media, state of the art, research agenda, political communication, YOUNG-PEOPLE, INTERNET USE, OFFLINE PARTICIPATION, SELECTIVE EXPOSURE, COLLECTIVE ACTION, NEWS REPERTOIRES, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, DIGITAL-AGE, I TWEET, ONLINE

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MLA
Waeterloos, Cato. “Political Participation on Social Media: Conceptual and Empirical State of the Art and Research Agenda.” ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION, vol. 49, no. 1, 2025, pp. 14–31, doi:10.1093/anncom/wlae002.
APA
Waeterloos, C. (2025). Political participation on social media: conceptual and empirical state of the art and research agenda. ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION, 49(1), 14–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/anncom/wlae002
Chicago author-date
Waeterloos, Cato. 2025. “Political Participation on Social Media: Conceptual and Empirical State of the Art and Research Agenda.” ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION 49 (1): 14–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/anncom/wlae002.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Waeterloos, Cato. 2025. “Political Participation on Social Media: Conceptual and Empirical State of the Art and Research Agenda.” ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION 49 (1): 14–31. doi:10.1093/anncom/wlae002.
Vancouver
1.
Waeterloos C. Political participation on social media: conceptual and empirical state of the art and research agenda. ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION. 2025;49(1):14–31.
IEEE
[1]
C. Waeterloos, “Political participation on social media: conceptual and empirical state of the art and research agenda,” ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 14–31, 2025.
@article{01KH1APFF4V2BGK7KWJDJD4V9N,
  abstract     = {{Over the past decades, political participation in an online context has gained substantive attention. However, it is only recently that conceptual advancements have been made concerning the specific expressive and mobilizing practices that occur on social media. This article argues on the importance and implications of recognizing political participation on social media as a conceptually distinct mode of political participation, shaped by unique affordances that highlight its networked and political character. Specifically, the article provides a conceptual and normative state of the art regarding online and social media political participation. By discussing the empirical implications of prominent theoretical assumptions in the field, three key research gaps are identified and I propose a research agenda for the field of political communication.}},
  author       = {{Waeterloos, Cato}},
  issn         = {{2380-8985}},
  journal      = {{ANNALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION}},
  keywords     = {{political participation,social media,state of the art,research agenda,political communication,YOUNG-PEOPLE,INTERNET USE,OFFLINE PARTICIPATION,SELECTIVE EXPOSURE,COLLECTIVE ACTION,NEWS REPERTOIRES,CIVIC ENGAGEMENT,DIGITAL-AGE,I TWEET,ONLINE}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{14--31}},
  title        = {{Political participation on social media: conceptual and empirical state of the art and research agenda}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1093/anncom/wlae002}},
  volume       = {{49}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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