Second Screening and Political Participation Worldwide: A Multi-Level Comparative Analysis

• In Event: Internet Access and Digital Media Influences on Participation

Abstract

This study undertakes a worldwide comparative analysis of second screening and political participation by analyzing panel survey data collected at two time points in 19 countries. The study expands the literature by examining not only online participation, but also offline participation and voting. It employs multi-level modeling to assess the between-country variation in the relationship between second screening and political participation. It further argues that at least in part, this country level variation is due to indicators of internet access and economic well-being. Results indicate that second screening is positively related to online and offline political participation across countries, and that relationship is relatively stronger where (a) internet connectivity, (b) GDP, and (c) HDI are relatively weaker. In other words, second screening is most strongly related to political participation in the countries that have the most room for growth in democratic engagement and practice.

Authors

• Matthew Barnidge, The University of Alabama

• Homero Gil de Zuniga

• James Liu, Massey U