The Internet has greatly revolutionized American politics as it has so many other institutions in American society. Perhaps the biggest impact from use of the Internet in American politics is its ability to give individuals from all socioeconomic classes and backgrounds the opportunity to participate in public policy and political campaigns. The Internet has also revolutionized the way policymakers solicit support for various issues and the way they package and sell their campaign platforms. So, too, the Internet has had a significant impact on fundraising, grassroots movements, and political advertising. It has also impacted the structure of American politics, shifting the traditional paradigm of top-down, centralized organization to bottom-up decentralized organization. The Internet has also greatly enhanced the speed and volume with which Americans and lobby groups can connect with each other, without barriers of space, time or economics. It has also enabled millions of people to sway public policymakers because of the ability to rapidly mount email campaigns in favor or in opposition to a particular issue or proposed bill. This analysis will review the history, present issues, stakeholders impacted by, and the future of the Internet as it pertains to American politics.
Traditionally in American history, politicians relied on television, political rallies, and telephone and mail campaigns to garner support for their candidacies or win support for various issues. Such traditional methods were typically orchestrated in a top-down, centralized fashion. U.S. citizens were influenced by or influenced politicians via the same means. However, the advent of the Internet and computer technology has dramatically changed American participation in politics and the ways politicians generate support. Unlike former ways to reaching out to Americans, Americans now reach out to politicians due to the impact of the Internet. One of the...