The Role of Social Media in Democratic Recession of the United States of America

Abstract

The emergence of social media has been a mixed blessing. While it has resulted in easy and cost-effective means of communication, it has nonetheless led to a decline in certain elements of the US democracy. The cheaper means and the ease of communications that have come with the digital era have resulted in constant flows of information with no effective medium in place to check the leakage of misleading and harmful contents. This trend has resulted in dynamics like the spread of misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, populism, polarization, etc. Such a trend does not appear to augur well for the country’s democracy health. Combatting the negative implications of social media on the United States democracy is a multifaceted endeavor that requires contributions of different actors, such as government, academic institutions, international organizations, civic and civil societies, as well as the individuals. In this work, I argue that measures such as legislative reforms, international cooperation, adoption of best practices, promotion of socioeconomic equality, value-based and inspiring communications, efficient and independent journalism, digital education, just to mention but a few, can help to reverse the tide of democratic recession in the country. These factors are interconnected in a synergistic way. The legislative reforms set the legal framework; international cooperation ensures a coordinated response; adoption of best practices aligns with responsible behavior and actions; and socioeconomic equality addresses underlying issues that reorient some people to unethical social media actions. While inspiring communications instill hopes in people and contribute to a positive online environment, ethical and independent journalism provides accurate information. Lastly, digital education empowers individuals to navigate the digital landscape responsibly and safely. A comprehensive strategy that incorporates these interconnected elements is more likely to effectively combat the negative impact of social media on democracy. While all these factors are instrumental in combatting social media iii negative dynamics in the US democracy, digital education and the promotion of socioeconomic equality stand out. First, once Americans are well informed about the social media use and its negative implications, they would not easily become prey of disinformation and misinformation. Second, with social and economic equality Americans would feel part and parcel of the system, thereby not yielding to whims and caprices of polarizing political figures. Keywords:Democracy, democratic recession, democratic erosion, democratic backsliding, social media, populism, digital era, fake news, misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, polarization.