The 5 Stars Movement as a Post Bureacratic Organization

• In Event: So Far, So Good, Part 1: Organizational Communication Research Escalator

Abstract

This paper investigates the tension between participation and deliberation in the Italian “Five Stars” Movement. This grassroots movement has based its activity almost entirely on the internet, becoming a political organization able to receive more than 25% in the last national elections. While its success seems to be a good outcome for democratic participation, the effects on deliberation seems to be more complex. Overall, the implications for political deliberation of the success of this movemtn are not clear. This study tries to understand the organizational structure of the 5 Stars Movement and its post-bureacratic nature.

Author

• David Coppini, University of Wisconsin, Madison