ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the guiding line of this book, a structuration model of political systems and action in using digital media and networks, is completed. In the core axis of this model two directions of domination have been investigated: bottom-up political action leading to more or less democracy and a top-down direction of maintaining the status quo with government information, surveillance and micro-targeting political marketing.
Next to domination, other intermediary factors of signification (political conceptions such as views of democracy) and legitimation (political norms or culture) are summarized. The many views of democracy distinguished in this book have a particular favorite use of digital media. Digital political culture is a practice quite different from traditional political culture.
The most general conclusions of this book are that in the short run more continuity than transformation of political systems and democracies through the use of digital media and computer networks is observed. In the long run some transformations in the context of the nascent society are expected. A list of so-called first, second and third effects of information and communication technology for political systems and democracies concludes the book.
