Distributed Readiness Citizenship: A Realistic, Normative Concept for Citizens’ Public Connection. Journal Article Hallvard Moe In: Communication Theory, 2019, ISSN: 1050–3293, (Pre SFI). @article{Moe2019,
title = {Distributed Readiness Citizenship: A Realistic, Normative Concept for Citizens’ Public Connection.},
author = {Hallvard Moe},
url = {https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/bitstream/handle/1956/23098/qtz016.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y},
doi = {10.1093/ct/qtz016},
issn = {1050–3293},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-12-09},
journal = {Communication Theory},
abstract = {This article argues that our view of citizens as miserably failing to maintain their role in democracy is problematic, and that the problems stem from the “informed citizen” ideal: it is too demanding, but also misses the target. The article proposes an alternative normative concept for citizens’ public connection: distributed readiness citizenship. The concept highlights how the state of being prepared to act is more important than levels of measurable political knowledge. Readiness is crucial to finding enough information and relevant cues, and it cannot be assessed based on individual citizens in isolation, but should be considered as distributed, and embodied in citizens’ social networks, with a division of labor. With such a conceptualization, we are better equipped to evaluate existing conditions, judge the impact of populism and propaganda, and figure out how to improve the chances for those less well-off to participate in democracy.},
note = {Pre SFI},
keywords = {Citizenship, Deliberative, Democracy, Democratic Realism, Normative Theory, Public Sphere, WP1: Understanding Media Experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This article argues that our view of citizens as miserably failing to maintain their role in democracy is problematic, and that the problems stem from the “informed citizen” ideal: it is too demanding, but also misses the target. The article proposes an alternative normative concept for citizens’ public connection: distributed readiness citizenship. The concept highlights how the state of being prepared to act is more important than levels of measurable political knowledge. Readiness is crucial to finding enough information and relevant cues, and it cannot be assessed based on individual citizens in isolation, but should be considered as distributed, and embodied in citizens’ social networks, with a division of labor. With such a conceptualization, we are better equipped to evaluate existing conditions, judge the impact of populism and propaganda, and figure out how to improve the chances for those less well-off to participate in democracy. |
Approximately Informed, Occasionally Monitorial? Reconsidering Normative Citizen Ideals. Journal Article Brita Ytre-Arne; Hallvard Moe In: International Journal of Press/Politics, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 227–246, 2018, (Pre SFI). @article{Arne2018,
title = {Approximately Informed, Occasionally Monitorial? Reconsidering Normative Citizen Ideals.},
author = {Brita Ytre-Arne and Hallvard Moe},
url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1940161218771903},
doi = {10.1177/1940161218771903},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-04-27},
journal = {International Journal of Press/Politics},
volume = {23},
number = {2},
pages = {227–246},
abstract = {This article identifies gaps between normative ideals and realistic accounts of news use in democracy today. Starting from the widespread but unrealistic ideal of the informed citizen, and its more realistic development through notions of the monitorial citizen, we analyze comprehensive qualitative data on news users’ experiences. We describe these news users as approximately informed, occasionally monitorial. This description emphasizes the limited, shifting, and partial figurations of societal information that citizens are able to obtain through their use of journalistic and social media, and thereby challenges normative ideals. How do monitorial ideals function when the citizens are only occasionally on guard? By zooming in on three key gaps between even a less demanding ideal and actual practices in news use, we underline the need to further reconceptualize our expectations of citizens’ news use.},
note = {Pre SFI},
keywords = {Citizens, Democracy, Democratic Realism, Media Audiences, News, Public Sphere, WP1: Understanding Media Experiences},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This article identifies gaps between normative ideals and realistic accounts of news use in democracy today. Starting from the widespread but unrealistic ideal of the informed citizen, and its more realistic development through notions of the monitorial citizen, we analyze comprehensive qualitative data on news users’ experiences. We describe these news users as approximately informed, occasionally monitorial. This description emphasizes the limited, shifting, and partial figurations of societal information that citizens are able to obtain through their use of journalistic and social media, and thereby challenges normative ideals. How do monitorial ideals function when the citizens are only occasionally on guard? By zooming in on three key gaps between even a less demanding ideal and actual practices in news use, we underline the need to further reconceptualize our expectations of citizens’ news use. |