Politics and the Internet
For the past several semesters, I have explored how politics can leverage the use of the Internet to mobolize communities. This interest in how computers and politics collide has led me on a course to explore different political communities on campus: from student groups to political campaigns to even protest politics, all in addition to Caldems. Throughout all of these organizations, it is clear to me that the Internet plays a crucial role in political organizing, and that people should care about the Internet in its ability to build support for causes. More importantly, if anyone wants to be successful at political organizing online, they need to keep in mind three things: you cannot do it alone, not everything goes viral by luck, and online political organizing does not substitute getting out on the streets.
1. You cannot do it alone: although this point is simple, I cannot stress it enough. Campaigns take the effort of not just one person, but a group of people. You need to build your dream team — a writer, a web-savvy person, a graphic designer, etc… — not just to execute your campaign, but to plan it. The Internet is a social sphere, and it will take more than just one person to create a plan to utilize that sphere. Gather the right people that have the skills you are looking for and that work well together, and as a team plan out how you are going to build an online community around your cause in 3-6 months!
2. Not everything goes viral by luck: In the past 10 years, the Internet has been host to a phenomena where causes, videos, sites , brands, and even politicians seem to erupt in this unforeseen surge of overnight interest. The term “viral” connotes this phenomenon, and what a phenomenon it is! I mean, who would not want to “go big” by literally overnight? More importantly, what political organization would not want to leverage this phenomenon to their advantage? Unfortunately, some of those viewed-by-the-million videos on Youtube are almost entirely by luck, and luck should never define your political campaign.
On the contrary, your political campaign should be executed with the utmost care. If you are not sure if you are going to go viral, then you need to build your base, and that takes time. You need to research your target market, cultivate your base, and you figure out how to do all this by bringing the right people to your dream team. Find the right people, work with them to figure out how to build your base.
3. Online political organizing does not substitute getting out on the streets: a forgotten point in organizing on the Internet is that it does not substitute for organizing on the streets, especially if you want to leverage a grassroots approach. While online organizing can only help you build your base potentially all over the world, you really need to get out and talk to humans on an individual basis. Canvass, flyer, and educate people offline, and that will translate to more recognition online, all in a feedback loop. Remember: the Internet does not substitute blood, sweat, and tears on the street. You still need to do the work that countless organizers have done in the past.
I hope these three tips help jumpstart your campaign to use the Internet for your political cause. Feel free to email me at klein@caldems.com if you have any more questions.