Scholarly record
CHALLENGES FOR DEMOCRACY IN DIGITAL AGE: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AS A TOOL FOR BETTER GOVERNANCE
Abstract
There are many of challenges for good governance and democracy in 21st century - fake news, post-truth argumentation style, rise of populism through social media, rise of populism in reality, etc. The backbone of problem is not fragmentation of views and opposition to government in power - on contrary - this always will be the source of fruitful decision making in democracies; the problem is ability to deliver information from government to people and vice versa to ensure objective discussion. So called Digital Age brings additional puzzling elements in democratic formation of views and discussions. Specific and deeply personal way how each citizen forms information consumption patterns is unique for the Digital Age. Equally unique is the way how competitors of political elites use technologies for their own benefit and interests which can cross the line of everything that we understand as a "constitutional" and "legal". In particular article author focuses on strategic communication as a possible tool, which should be used by governments, governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and etc., to deliver proper, true and relevant information. Theoretical framework of the article is the post-positivist approach, which is narrowed into constructivism field interpreted by Nicholas Greenwood Onuf. For empirical purposes serves data from latest researches on strategic communication, particularly from NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence. Scientific novelty of the article is bringing together experience of strategic communication from security and defence area with needs of routine type good governance in Western democracies, broadening understanding of the strategic communication as an integral part of policy making process and delivery. Research method is qualitative content analysis.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References10
Hallahan K., Holtzhausen D., Ruler B., Vercic D., Sriramesh K., “Defining strategic communication,” International Journal of Strategic Communication, 1(3), p.35, 2007.
Daugulis M., “Strategic Communication in Latvia: Writing a New Page in a Western Sense of Security and Foreign Policy”, in Sprūds A., Bruģe I. (eds.) Latvian Foreign and Security Policy - Yearbook 2018, Latvian Institute of International Affairs, Latvia, p.95, 2018.
Coombs W.T., Holladay S.J., “Strategic Intent and Crisis Communication: The Emergence of a Field,” in Holtzhausen D., Zerfass A. (eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Strategic Communication, New York, p.27, 2015.
Onuf G.N., World of Our Making: Rules and Rule in Social Theory and International Relations, Routledge, New York, p.25, 2013.
Graham J., Amos B., Plumptre T., Principles for Good Governance in the 21st Century, Policy Brief, Institute of Governance, p.6, 2003.
15th session of the Conference of European Ministers responsible for local and regional government, (Valencia, 15-16 October 2007) − Report by the Secretary General, p.1.
Extract from the Valencia Declaration, 15th Conference of European Ministers responsible for local and regional government (Valencia, Spain, 15-16 October 2007), pp.6-9.
Marsh K., “Living A Post-Truth Lives... But What Comes After?” in Defencing Strategic Communications, vol.3, NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, p.193, 2017.
Vargulis M., “Importance of Strategic Communication Matters and Their Development in the Latvian Security Policy”, in Sprūds A., Bruģe I., Bukovskis K., (eds.) Latvian Foreign and Security Policy - Yearbook 2017, Latvian Institute of International Affairs, Latvia, pp.82-83, 2017.
Sprūds A., Rožukalne A., et al., Internet Trolling as a Tool of Hybrid Warfare: The Case of Latvia, NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, p.82, 2016.
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.
