How Has the Internet Shaped American Politics?

How Has the Internet Shaped American Politics?

Author: Liam Heffernan April 1, 2025 Duration: 45:12

This week, following an election cycle dominated by misinformation, AI, social media, and a… well, strange blossoming relationship between a Silicon Valley billionaire and the 47th President, I think it’s time to look closer at the relationship between technology and politics. How has social media impacted US politics? How is this being regulated? And ultimately, how has the internet changed American politics?

...

Special guest for this episode:

  • Jennifer Stromer-Galley, a Professor in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. She is former president of the Association of Internet Researchers, and she is author of the widely-acclaimed book Presidential Campaigning in the Internet Age.

...

Highlights from this episode:

  • In this episode, we explored the complex relationship between technology and politics, particularly focusing on social media's influence in shaping political narratives and public opinion.
  • Jennifer Stroma Galley shared insights on how social media platforms, especially during election cycles, have become battlegrounds for misinformation and targeted political advertising.
  • We discussed the impact of tech giants like Elon Musk and their affiliations with political candidates, raising questions about the ethical implications of such relationships.
  • The episode delves into the evolution of political fundraising through social media, highlighting how candidates like Trump have mastered the art of leveraging online platforms for financial support.
  • We highlighted the importance of media literacy in today's information age, as the cacophony of voices online makes it challenging for individuals to discern fact from fiction.
  • Listeners were reminded that while social media can empower grassroots movements, it also poses risks of misinformation and ideological echo chambers that can threaten democratic processes

...

Additional Resources:

Presidential Campaigning in the Internet Age by Jennifer Stromer-Galley

Jennifer Stromer-Galley - iSchool | Syracuse University

Social Media: Are TikTok videos the way to win an election? - BBC News

12 States With Teens' Social Media Regulation- Is Yours One of Them?

Facebook, Cambridge Analytica scandal: Everything you need to know

...

And if you like this episode, you might also love:

What Was the Constitutional...


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

America: The Story of the USA
Podcast Episodes
What is the Mayflower? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:23
On this day in 1620, a boat carrying over pilgrims from Plymouth, England, set sail. It’s destination? The New World. The events that followed have been retold, mythicised, and immortalised as one of the defining moments…
BONUS: Should the US Treasury Be Independent from the President? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:15
In this bonus episode, we explore the intricate relationship between the U.S. Treasury and the broader financial system, the complexities of government finance, and its impact on our daily lives. We also discuss the sepa…
What is the History of California? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
On this day in 1850, the thirty-first state of the Union is admitted. So today, on its 175th birthday, I want to find out a little more about its history before statehood, the reasons why it became an important piece of…
BONUS: Houdini, London and the Unpickable Lock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
This bonus episode delves deeper into the life and performances of the legendary magician Harry Houdini, with a focus on one of his most remarkable feats, at the London Hippodrome, where he was challenges to unpick the w…
IN THE MAKING: Is America Heading Towards a Trump Dictatorship? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:08
In this special solo edition of In The Making, I explore the troubling signs that suggest America might be inching towards a dictatorship under Donald Trump, and lay out the evidence indicating how he’s strategically sur…
What is the US Treasury? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:21
This week, we're diving deep into the world of money and the pivotal role the U.S. Treasury plays in shaping the American economy.Behind every success and failure in American history lies a story deeply intertwined with…
BONUS: What Would You Do in a Gold Rush? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:09
In this bonus episode, we unravel the age-old question of who decided gold was worth something in the first place. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about its shiny allure; there’s a whole lot of history and economics at play…
Who is Harry Houdini? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:31
Would you throw yourself over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Well, this week, we’re talking about the man who, allegedly, did just that. His performances have become the stuff of legend, including the one he did on this very…
BONUS: The Legacy of Emperor Norton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:48
This bonus episode delves deeper into the intriguing subject of Emperor Norton, a figure who declared himself the Emperor of the United States, and the cultural implications of such a declaration.We touch on the unique n…