The Civic Organization and the Digital Citizen

"As we become enamored and disillusioned by the civic conditions of democracy first, and the promise newer technologies convey about reviving these conditions second, a natural question that follows is: After democracy, what? In The Civic Organization and the Digital Citizen: Communicating Engagement in a Networked Age, Chris Wells takes a look at what happens when citizens are confronted with civic norms that leave them wanting more out of democratic forms of organizations. Caught between forms of civic organization that they do not want to disrespect but they also want to deviate from, they find themselves reimagining in-between spaces for civic activity. And therein lies a home for an emerging modality of digital citizenship, outlined in this terrific new volume." -- Zizi Papacharissi, Professor and Head of Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago "This book places organizations squarely in the nexus among democratic norms, youth citizenship, and digital media. Wells makes a real contribution to our understanding of the tension within civic organizations between new and old cultures of communication and action, illuminating how a variety of organizations are responding in different ways to the changing media environment and the expectations of young citizens." -- Bruce Bimber, University of California, Santa Barbara "In his insightful and clear-headed book, Chris Wells shows that civic associations must develop new and better "communicative relationships" with citizens. He offers a powerful analytical framework and generates insights of great practical value for political leaders and civic associations." -- Peter Levine, Associate Dean for Research and Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs, Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, Tufts University "Can 'legacy' civic organizations adapt their communication strategies to connect more effectively with young people in the digital age? Can new forms of 'virtual' organizations that are more attuned to the civic identities and practices of the young be effective in the brick and mortar world of political and economic power? In The Civic Organization and the Digital Citizen Chris Wells provides empirically grounded and insightful answers to these questions - answers of great import to how we theorize, research, and practice democratic politics in the 21st century." -- Michael X. Delli Carpini Dean Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania