Mapping Global Digital Political Inequality

Digital political inequality is prevalent worldwide, but humans can shape the evolution of digital politics toward greater equality.

Inequality is an essential concept for understanding the impact of digital media on political life. This Element offers an empirical portrait of digital political inequality globally. Gaps in online political information reception and engagement are prevalent worldwide and growing over time. They are related to the resources held by individuals.Inequality is an essential concept for understanding the impact of digital media on political life. This Element offers an empirical portrait of digital political inequality globally. We find that gaps in online political information reception and engagement are prevalent worldwide and growing over time. These inequalities are related to the resources held by individuals, the experiences of groups, and the economic, democratic, and technological development of societies. Moreover, we find that digital political media use is associated with greater participation in electoral politics and belief in democracy, while at the same time lower political trust and satisfaction with political systems. Based on these findings, we offer an agenda for studying digital political inequality across societal, technological, institutional, and individual levels. Ultimately, digital media not only create walls that separate the political haves and have-nots, but also windows and doors to greater political voice and influence for the less powerful.