Social media as E-participation: Can a multiple hierarchy stratification perspective predict public interest?

Abstract

Inclusive deliberative democracy requires greater public participation than what seems to exist in the United States as of 2019. E-participation, facilitating public participation through social media, phone applications, and other information communication technologies, can overcome constraints associated with traditional public participation and therefore increase inclusivity. Telephone interview data among residents of a U.S. state considered actual e-participation as well as interest in e-participation in transportation within the multiple hierarchy stratification approach. Logistic regression models using select demographic variables predicted public interest in only one of three e-participation methods. Subsequently, e-participation may not be subject to pervasive societal forces that otherwise constrain public participation and inclusivity. Greater consideration to e-participation use and best practices for its implementation are encouraged.