democratized democracy.

One of the oldest myths / dreams about the internet is that it would, eventually, somehow, lead to a better world. The best chance for this is the democratizing effect that it has for media. The idea that everyone can have a voice was, and is, definitely revolutionary, and blogging has been the obvious example that we can point to for this democratization in practice. Another one popped up recently, and I think it’s worth dissecting on a theoretical level.

Disclosure: I like Barack Obama. I want him to win, for many reasons. I’m also not an American, so (although everyone has a stake in a US election) I’d like to claim something resembling distance from the issue of who wins what.

At the same time, I have to talk about my.barackobama.com, and why the idea of it excites me.

First off, to explain. Although I can’t actually sign in to the site, due to my lack of an American zip code, it seems to be a fairly straightforward social network, allowing a user to make friends, blog, create groups, plan events, message, and fundraise. This isn’t anything unusual for social networks, but it is for election campaigns.

The traditional election campaign has always operated on something similar to the traditional broadcast model of communication. Those representing the candidate express an approved message, follow orders, and generally the candidate tells you what they are about, and why you should vote for them. This is pretty much the standard of campaigning in democracies the world over. Beyond that, there are fundraisers, public events, commercials praising the candidate, and at least a few commercials attacking the opposition, from at least one member of the race. While this model is obviously still in effect, and still based on grassroots support, it isn’t exactly a conversation, and it is most likely very closely controlled by those leading up the campaign.

Gathering everyone to a social network based on the candidate, however, creates a few new and interesting wrinkles. Obama supporters who sign up get to blog whatever they please, on a site sponsored by the candidate himself. They can do their own organising. They can fundraise how they please. And they can do it independent of direct oversight by the candidate himself, or his staff. The people get a voice, and they get it for the entire run up to the next election, as opposed to once every four years.

Sounds an awful lot like democracy, doesn’t it?

There are obviously possible problems, however. As much as I hate to mention it, editorial control over user accounts, and the ability to remove postings, is essential. Essential, if only because a black presidential candidate is almost certain going to be the target of racism, ignorance, and idiotic pranks. The question is how tight editorial control will be. Will MyBarackObama.com remove posts that comment negatively on the actions or stances of the candidate? I’d hope not, if only because it would completely negate the ‘This Campaign is About You’ message posted on the front page of his website proper.

Equally important to relinquishing control over discussion of the candidate in a sponsored mass media forum is the simple fact that this move speaks volumes about the Obama campaign and its understanding of the youth of the modern world. The execution, from what I can see, looks almost textbook web2.0. This isn’t a complaint, but it at least shows that someone has been paying attention to how these things work. Someone is actively targeting the youth vote, and doing it in terms that don’t reek of desperation. By creating a separate social network, people are given a tool to use, as opposed to a sad appropriation of a tool they already enjoy. Facebook isn’t for elections. MySpace isn’t for elections. MyBarackObama.com is for elections, for this specific election, but also for users to enjoy and control.

Something like this is fascinating to me. If campaigning, even in part, becomes a matter of mostly unedited discourse between supporters, and between supporters and the candidate, arguably the most important non-voting part of the U.S. democratic process for the public, actually involves the input of the people. More than that, it actually invites mass involvement, rather than just a tick in the appropriate box, on the appropriate day.

Mostly, this kind of move supports the claims senator Obama has made about his beliefs and goals in relation to politics. It shows action on a desire to include and represent public viewpoints, even in a media organ designed specifically to support one candidate. Democracy is a glorious, honourable ideal. It’s nice to see that reflected in more than the final element of an election.

EDIT:

I've actually logged in and checked out the site. Other things to note are the ability to select issues of importance to you while creating a profile (ranging from civil rights to energy policy), and a personalised fundraising message that can be sent to friends, and other members of the site.