Problem Definition in the Digital Democracy (PRODIGI)
- ERC Advanced Grant, 2021-2025
How does an issue become a political problem? No issue inherently requires political responses. Instead, political actors construct arguments regarding the nature of a given problem and connect them to particular policy actions. For example, some see digital technology as a threat to democracy and advocate for stricter regulation, while others emphasize its potential to improve participation and argue that tighter rules stifle innovation. This phenomenon, known as "problem definition," has long been recognized as a fundamental aspect of any policymaking process. Theoretically, PRODIGI argues that the notion of problem definition needs to integrate the dynamics induced by digital technology, such as new forms of political communication that bypass traditional gatekeepers. The state of the art does not adequately describe these new dynamics. On the one hand, the literature on digital technology and politics has not explicitly recognized problem definition as a key aspect. On the other hand, the agenda setting and problem definition literatures have not integrated the role of digital technology in their arguments. Specifically, PRODIGI pursues four objectives: 1) develop a theory of problem definition that accounts for the role of digital technology; 2) develop new methods to measure problem definition based on computational social science; 3) analyze problem definition in the case of policy responses to digital technology's implications for democracy; and 4) analyze the effects of problem definition on opinions using survey experiments. PRODIGI breaks new ground in two ways. First, it puts forward original theory and methods to study a longstanding question that has acquired new relevance in digital environments. Second, it applies the new theory and methods to an important societal challenge, namely, how politics responds to digital technology's impact on democracy.
Improving the Quality of Online Public Discourse
- Swiss National Science Foundation, 2024-2028
- with Karsten Donnay, Gloria Gennaro, and Domink Hangartner
Online platforms have transformed political discourse by giving more people a voice on the one hand, but also spreading harmful content like hate speech on the other. This content negatively impacts society and politics. The aim of this project is to improve the quality of online discussions by examining both harmful and constructive content. We define harmful content as disrespectful and offensive contributions that include personal attacks or discriminatory language. In contrast, constructive content fosters positive discussions and democratic participation. The project has two main objectives: developing methods to detect harmful and constructive content, and evaluating the effectiveness of measures to reduce harmful content and promote constructive dialogue. Our research covers three areas: developing and measuring detection methods, assessing measures against harmful content, and exploring strategies to promote constructive content. We are working with Swiss news portals such as Blick and 20 Minuten and analyzing data from platforms like Twitter and Reddit. The project addresses challenges such as reliable content detection and access to data, and has implemented risk mitigation measures accordingly. Overall, our project will provide valuable insights and new methods to improve online discussions and reduce harmful content. This will benefit researchers, civil society groups, and policymakers.