Abstract
In this chapter, I investigate the implications of web technologies and social media on civic engagement in Scandinavia. First, with reference to relevant theory and previous research, the potential implications of digitalization on collective action on the individual and the organizational level are discussed. To empirically investigate the implications of digitalization in the Scandinavian civil societies, I proceed with an analysis of survey data on traditional and digital volunteering among Scandinavians from the pooled dataset used in this book. Results from the analysis show that pure digital volunteering is a relatively limited phenomenon in Scandinavia, and that there are strong connections between digital and traditional volunteering. Hence, digital volunteering seems to be more of a supplement to traditional organizational volunteering rather than a substitute. Furthermore, although pure digital forms of volunteering to some degree recruit participants from outside the traditional volunteer base, when combined with traditional volunteering, classic social divides regarding who participates are reproduced. In conclusion, I propose further research to track the development of new digital forms of civic engagement, but also to investigate if and how new digital technologies are integrated into existing forms and patterns of civic engagement.
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Notes
- 1.
Although digitalization of society, with profound social and personal implications, is also a subject matter for much civic engagement and organization in itself (e.g. concerns over data protection and privacy, etc.) this chapter will not be concerned with digitalizations as an engagement issue per se, but as a societal process affecting civic engagement and organization.
- 2.
See Chap. 2 for a related discussion on the changing organizational landscape in Scandinavia.
- 3.
Norway 97%; Denmark 92%; Sweden 89%.
- 4.
Norway 88%; Denmark 82%; Sweden 77%.
- 5.
Norway 71%; Denmark 66%; Sweden 65%.
- 6.
Similar points are made in Chap. 2 on the wider changes in the Scandinavian organizational society.
- 7.
In the three Scandinavian national population surveys on civic engagement (Denmark 2012, Norway 2014, Sweden 2014) the respondents were asked, with minor variations: ‘Today, one may also do volunteer work over the Internet, without meeting face-to-face. For instance, you could write articles to Wikipedia, give advice or help with homework online, organize campaigns, moderate discussions, program software and more. Here, we are not concerned with your private use of the Internet, like updating your own homepage, blog or Facebook profile, or with activities tied to your regular volunteer work for an association or organization’.
- 8.
Values of 61Â h or more were coded as 60Â h.
- 9.
The analysis is based on a logistic regression (Logit). The logistic regression coefficients give the change in the log odds of the outcome for a one unit increase in the predictor variable.
- 10.
There were significant correlations between virtual and traditional volunteering for all organizational categories except community and housing organizations.
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Eimhjellen, I. (2019). New Forms of Civic Engagement. Implications of Social Media on Civic Engagement and Organization in Scandinavia. In: Henriksen, L.S., Strømsnes, K., Svedberg, L. (eds) Civic Engagement in Scandinavia. Nonprofit and Civil Society Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98717-0_6
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