Impact of Social Media on Politics

Abstract

The development of the internet in the early 1990s, has contributed to the expansion in the world's networked population. The networked population has more access to information, more chances to participate in public discourse and a stronger capacity to execute joint action. Social media has become a reality of life for civil society globe over, including many players — average individuals, activists, non-governmental organisations, telecommunications businesses, software suppliers, and even governments at large. Social media revolution in the Indian political landscape is real, palpable and fast. Keeping an eye on impending Lok Sabha elections, the purpose of this essay is to investigate the influence of social media viz. Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and You Tube on Indian politics. No doubt social media is now being seriously studied by the Indian political parties as a medium to reach out to the people, but will it affect the Lok Sabha Elections in the same manner as in Obama’s Presidential elections? Social media has acquired relevance with the surge in young population in India. As they are the one who utilise internet the most in India. Will this social media & youngsters shift the flow of Indian politics? This article will discuss these and some more problems linked to Indian politics.