Out with the old, in with the new : Technology and Politics

Posters, cut-outs, door to door campaigning and even bribing voters are turning rudimentary with technology playing a decisive role in the rise and fall of politicians in the contemporary Indian politics.

India is a mixed basket of 790 million eligible voters with only an approximate 200 million active internet users, the dream of a digitally empowered India demands proactive politicians to engage in the new communication mediums that influence public opinion.

To my opinion, the 16th Lok Sabha elections became a tipping point with Narendra Modi blazing a trail for 3D rallies, Chai pe Charcha and Mann ki Baat that helped to reach out to millions of people at a time.

Albeit the newly found use of technology, the fundamentals of political campaigns remain the same like fund raising, getting feedback, convincing the audience the need for supporting a cause and garnering voters. Of late, political parties are using technology on a large scale to address the above political fundamentals.

Impact on politicians

Technology's impact on politicians is ambivalent. Firstly, social media platforms has helped the people to engage in political socialization and at the same time, has also created a pulpit for self-proclaimed political pundits, irrespective of their credentials and credibility, to spread their messages that in turn adds to the brouhaha.

Secondly, videos of the speeches of most politicians can be found on YouTube. In many of the posted videos, they are engaged in old speeches, contradicting their current political positions. The media and the opposition utilises these opportunities to score against their rivals. Often, the accessibility of the audio and video clips, and wide media distribution, breeds distrust among voters who support politicians who have had a change of heart.

Thirdly, the digital media activism, an emerging trend in India, demands the political fraternity to stay proactive. But sometimes biased and hysterical news anchors tend to channelize a biased outlook keeping realities in the dark.

#technology #indian #politics #george #lawrence